Southeast Regionals Game 4: West Raleigh 10U Blue 14, Putnam Co (Tenn.) 4

Friday started a little slow, as everyone loaded the van at 9:50 a.m. only to notice that someone was missing--Coach Sean. The team had a little time to rest while they waited on him:

Here's the crowd that assembled when they heard Coach Sean might be making a public appearance:

One little-known part of the trip to the field is that the team van has to pass by a small pond that features a weird-looking doll sitting on the pier. This team is not afraid of much. One thing they are afraid of: that doll. Here, take a look:


Once the doll was avoided and the baseball part of the day began, West Raleigh finished pool play at the Southeast Regional with a 14-4 win over Putnam Co. (Tenn.). The win means 10U Blue finished pool play at 4-0 and earns the top seed in the American Division, setting up a 10 a.m. regional semifinal game on Saturday against the host team, Glen Allen.

Putnam started Friday's game with hot bats, scoring three first-inning runs. But West Raleigh battled back to get four, and then, after Putnam tied the game at four in the top of the third, scored ten unanswered runs in the third, fourth and fifth to end the game in five innings.

The win once again left 10U Blue with some free time in the afternoon, meaning the local authorities will probably have to establish some sort of martial law in Glen Allen.

Game 4 10U Blue scoring plays

First inning

Bryce reached leading off the game and went to second on a passed ball. He scored on Banks' triple. Chace's shot to right scored Banks. Chace scored on Ben's drive through the outfield. Brady singled home Ben.

Score after one inning: WR 10U Blue 4, Putnam Co. 3

Third inning

Banks reached leading off the inning. Gavin smashed a double. Chace hit an RBI single. A pair scored on Ben's single, and then he went all the way to third on an error in the outfield. Elias smacked an RBI single. A wild pitch moved him to second, then Brady's fielder's choice advanced him to third, where he scored on JT's shot through the infield. 

Score after three innings: WR 10U Blue 9, Putnam Co. 4

Fourth inning

Banks walked to lead off the frame. Gavin singled. A wild pitch advanced both runners. Two scored on Chace's single, and he moved up to second on the throw. A fielder's choice put him on third. Elias walked. JT lined a two-out, two-run single. 

Score after four innings: WR 10U Blue 13, Putnam Co. 4

Fifth inning

Asher led off with a walk. Bryce doubled. Banks' fielder's choice scored Asher.

Score after five innings: WR 10U Blue 14, Putnam Co. 4

Pitching Performances

Ben started and went two innings, retiring four of the final five he faced.

Gavin threw a hitless third.

Colin pitched a scoreless fourth.

Bryce closed things out with a 1-2-3 fifth.

Game 4 Web Gems

• Andrew tracked down a hit to center in the first and made a great throw to Bryce at the plate. Bryce stepped up to get the throw, then came back to tag the runner and get the out at home.
• Asher hustled after a wild pitch in the third, retrieved it, and flipped to Gavin covering home for another out at the plate.
• Colin ranged far over behind first to gather a pop-up in the third.

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