WWBA Matchups

Can't wait to hear reports from hitman, NCBBallfan and ss-05

 

Even though Im a NC'er now - I gotta say I am proud of our boys from College Select.

It took a bunch of time for TR to put this team together.

As always - noone ever even considers them as contenders.

Austin TX - with 5 draft picks - didnt - and they got no hit in Roger Dean Stadium 2 years ago for all to see. So much for that.

Remember - stay away from the bs press and the hype - keep quiet and play hard.

Good things will happen.

Go get 'em TR

 

:xyzthumbs ..well said itsinthegame. congratulations to Tom Rizzi. Unfortunately, most people on this board don't know what a treasure he is.

 

Houston Heat wins title

The Houston Heat beat the Ohio Warhawks 4-2 in the championship, proving once again that great pitching is hard to beat, particularly in wood bat events. At least Impact can say they were eliminated by the champs, and the O's can also say they played the champs a close game.

Welcome home to all our area players and congrats on fine performances in Ft. Myers. Once again we can certainly claim that our guys can play with anyone in the country.

 

Diamond Devils

The Diamond Devils completed pool play on Sunday with a come from behind tie with the Ontario Blue Jays 4-4 to win Pool D and advance to bracket play. The Devils were down 4-0 heading to the top of the seventh when the bats finally came alive delivering 6 hits and scoring 4 runs with 2 outs. Wil Boyd (Hickory and Clemson) opened with a leadoff single which was followed by another single by Reese Havens (Bishop England and USC). After the Blue Jays turned a double play, consecutive singles by Kyle Roller (2006 Richmond County), David Anderson (White Knoll and USC), Trey Thomas (James Island and The Citadel) closed the gap to 4-2. Chris Love (2006 Richland NE) delivered a double to left to drive in the final 2 runs to tie the game. David Anderson picked up the win. The Devils won the pool with a 3-0-1 record.

In bracket play, the Devils faced the NJ Twins and Steve Hunt (UVA commitment). Down 2-0 entering the top of the seventh, the Devils again rallied for 2 runs and tied the game. Wil Boyd lead off with a single and scored on a double by Justin Smoak (Stratford and USC). Trey Thomas delivered another 2 out hit to drive in the tying run. However, with 2 outs in the bottom of the seventh, the Twins delivered a 2 run walk off home run eliminating the Devils from bracket play. Chris Love pitched 6 2/3 strong innings (6 hits, 11 K's) in taking the loss. The loss to the Twins, who advanced to the semifinals of bracket play, was the first loss of the fall for the Devils.

The WWBA World Championship again proved to be a great event with 80 quality teams, top individual talent and hundreds of professional scouts and college recruiters. From my perspective, the event is more exciting in Jupiter when all games are played at one location with 10 fields. Hopefully the event will return to Jupiter next year.

I also was able to see one of Cameron Maybin's games. Cameron doubled in the seventh inning and scored his team's only run in a 1-0 victory. I also spent time with Rudy Maybin during the game discussing Cameron's success during the summer and plans for the spring. I caught an On Deck O's game and enjoyed spending time with friends from the many years of AAU, High School, Legion and showcase baseball.

Congratulations to Impact Baseball and the Diamond Devils for winning pools and advancing to bracket play. The Carolina Cubs, who finished 3-1 and just missed advancing to bracket play, and the On Deck O's also represented the Carolinas well.

 

Ft. Meyers

Sorry guys, a little groggy from a 13 hr. drive.
Friday morning Team Impact had to play Team Connecticut, as it turned out it was the only game that we were able to relax in. The Impact kids came to play and blew the game open in the first and second inning. It was over before it started with an 11-0 score. Game 2 appeared to be against a P.G. team but when they pulled up in the team bus for the Georgia Stars ,coach Andy Partin knew we were going to get a game. Coach Partin decided to burn one of his aces in Adam Warren, great call, results 3- 1 Impact. Saturday we knew we had to face the Texas Sliders, this team plays together all year and has had a lot of success they just got beat by the Georgia team . Zach Rosenbaum was on, the Impact defense came to play and we skated with 2-1 win. NOW what everyone was waiting on ,the showdown for the pool championship with the un-defeated Florida Bombers. Winner advances ,loser goes home. The Bombers come from South Miami , they have a good program and a reputation. They definately were considered the favorite for our pool. Coach Partin went with hard throwing lefty Drew Taylor. He walks the first batter, second batter triples, the Impact defense makes a stand and leaves the runner on third to get out of the first inning. We scrap out three runs, Taylor gets stronger and throws 'lights out' for the rest of the game. POOL CHAMPION ' TEAM IMPACT' !!!! Impact wins the pool with a 4 -0 record. They beat 3 very good teams from Georgia, Texas, and Florida. Only 3 runs allowed!!!! The formula for winning these wood bat tournaments is 1. Have good pitching and walk no one. 2. Scrap out some runs, any way you can get them. 3. Play flawless defense. This is exactly what Impact was doing. Sunday night we were to meet the All Star Baseball Academy. This team comes with a projected 1st. round draft pick. Impact was un-impressed, they scored first, gave up the lead in the 4th.showed a lot of heart and came back in the 5th.to take back the lead. A gutsy closing performance by Addison Johnson and some more great defensive plays sent Team Impact to the final round of 8. 80 teams 8 left. Monday morning we met the Houston Heat. With Roger Clemens sitting in the dug out , Impact grabs a 2-0 lead. For the first time in the tournament Impact had a bad inning ,Houston scores 5 runs in the 4th. Impact fights back with another run, too little too late.
What a tournament! Impact went 5-1. I know every one wants to win but you have to love the effort the N.C. kids put out . I can't remember a tournament where every player on the team contributed something like this one. Our offense came from a lot of different guys , all of our pitchers were locked in and really put up some gutsy performances against some very good hitters, I can't say enough about our defense, one great play after another with almost no errors. Great group of players, friendly parents, warm Florida weather, great way to end the year. Congratulations Andy Partin and Impact Baseball.

 

I am so envious. Reading ss-05's report reminded me of last year with the O's. What a great feeling! Congratulations to all the teams representing NC & SC...they made us proud.