Southeast Regionals Game 3: West Raleigh 10U Blue 14, Manatee (FL) 1

In one of the most complete team performances of the summer, West Raleigh got excellent offense, pitching and defense on the way to a 14-1 victory over Manatee, the state champion of Florida. The game was shortened to five innings by the run rule.

Here's a look inside the team van on the way to the game. Note that the coaches are not entirely immune from the desire to whip:


Once the dancing was over and the game began, 10U Blue jumped on top early with a two-run first and never looked back behind sensational pitching that saw two West Raleigh pitchers issue zero walks, stretching the walk-less streak to 12 innings at the Regionals.

The trip back to the hotel was surprisingly subdued, owing partly to how hard all 12 players had just played, and partly due to the fact that most of the van was engrossed in a game affectionally known as "Try To Beat Coach Adam At Trivia Crack." Bryce's reaction in the following photo shows you how successful they were:

The rest of Thursday's results mean that West Raleigh has now clinched the American Division and the top seed from that division in Saturday's four-team bracket play. However, one more pool play game remains--an 11:30 date with Putnam Co. (Tenn.) on Friday.

Game 3 10U Blue scoring plays

First inning

Banks lined a one-out single and took second on a wild pitch. Gavin doubled him home. Gavin took third on a fielder's choice and scored on Chace's fielder's choice.

Score after one-half inning: WR 10U Blue 2, Manatee 0

Second inning

Andrew was hit by a pitch and took second on a wild pitch. Colin "Well-Dressed Man" Kimball lined a single. Andrew stole home. Elias singled. Asher sacrificed both runners over. A wild pitch scored Colin. Bryce roped an RBI triple and scored on Banks' single.

Score after one and a half innings: WR 10U Blue 6, Manatee 0

Third inning

Chace was hit by a pitch. Ben singled. A wild pitch scored Chace. Brady reached on a fielder's choice. Colin walked. Elias walked. Asher was hit by a pitch. A wild pitch scored Colin.

Score after two and a half innings: WR 10U Blue 9, Manatee 0

Fifth inning

Andrew lined a double and went to third on a wild pitch. JT was hit by a pitch. Colin smacked an RBI single. A wild pitch scored JT. Asher walked. Bryce reached on a fielder's choice. Banks, Gavin and Chace hit RBI singles. 

Score after four and a half innings: WR 10U Blue 14, Manatee 1

Pitching Performances

Chace was terrific over four innings, needing just 45 pitches and allowing just one runner past second base.

Banks closed it out in the fifth, including a pair of strikeouts.

Game 3 Web Gems

• Against one of Manatee's fastest runners, Colin, Gavin and Brady teamed up on a lightning-fast 4-6-3 double play in the second.
• Bryce, Asher and Chace combined to execute a rundown between third and home in the third.
• JT made the catch of the summer in the fourth, covering half the town of Glen Allen to track down a fly ball near the line and make a sprawling catch. 

Game 3 line score	1	2	3	4	5	6	R	H
WR 10U Blue	2	4	3	0	5	X	14	11
Manatee	0	0	1	0	0	X	1	4