FORT MYERS, Fla. – Rain delays and thunderstorms dominated conversations all week at the 17u BCS Finals until a final four teams remained to play early on Saturday morning. The first semifinal matchup consisted of Xtreme Tornadoes 16u (5-1-0) facing Elite Squad Select 17u (4-1-1) and the second saw the Team Elite Roadrunners 17U (7-1-0) play IBAHS 2016 (5-1-1).
Things started out quickly for Elite Squad Select as they jumped out to an early 1-0 lead thanks to a first-inning RBI single from Edmund Americaan. From there, things quieted down as Elite Squad starter, Daniel Rivero, toed the rubber and quietly tossed five shutout innings allowing only a single hit and one walk while striking out seven Xtreme batters.
Elite Squad broke the game open in the top of the sixth posting eight runs thanks in part to RBI doubles from both Brooks Aristy and Eduardo Antonini.
With one game decided, the winner of Team Elite Roadrunners 17u and IBAHS 2016 would set the long-awaited championship game, and it did not take long. LSU commit Jonathan Gettys took the mound for the Roadrunners and fired a 15 strikeout no-hit performance allowing only three men to reach base the entire game.
As Gettys took the mound for the seventh and final inning of the game the Elite Squad players gathered behind the plate to watch him attempt to finish off his no-hit bid. He failed to disappoint generating three quick outs dazzling with his fastball that touched 91 mph and jaw-dropping breaking ball.
Behind such dominant pitching, the offensive efforts of Austin Biggar, who had a pair of doubles, and Branden Fryman’s three hits were enough to propel the Roadrunners to a 5-0 win and into the Championship game.
With both teams set, they gathered back on the field to try and beat the impending weather.
Elite Squad starter, Jaggar McCoy, fired a quick 1-2-3 inning with three groundballs to get the game started. In the bottom half of the first, Edmond Americaan laced a triple to the right field wall, but was stranded at third to end the inning.
There was little noise from either side until the bottom half of the second when Dan Vaughan led off with a single. He was able to jog home thanks to an Anthony Mulrine two-run home run that landed well beyond the left field wall.
The Roadrunners were not discouraged. They quickly collected a pair of singles with one out to give them their first runner in scoring position of the game. However, an untimely ground ball to second stymied their efforts as the Elite Squad infielders turned a nifty double play to escape the jam.
In the bottom of the fourth Elite Squad got another runner on base who ended up on third after stealing second and advancing to third on an error. After an RBI single and a sac fly, Elite Squad extended their lead to 4-0 after four innings.
Each team’s pitching staff managed to get in a quick fifth inning before a lightning delay caused both teams to clear the field momentarily.
Once play resumed, Jeremy Szozda retook the mound for his third inning of relief for Elite Squad. After a leadoff single from Nick Wilhite the Roadrunners netted their first run of the game after a triple from Austin Biggar, who then came around to score on a wild pitch. That cut the deficit to two runs for an inspired Roadrunners team.
The Roadrunners returned to the plate in the top of the seventh with the Championship on the line. A leadoff double from Mason McWhorter had chants and cheers coming from the inspired Roadrunners’ dugout.
Justin Carrillo entered the game in relief for Elite Squad with the opportunity to earn the save and secure the win, and he did not falter. He struck out the first batter he faced on a breaking ball in the dirt, then painted fastballs on the outside corner to strikeout the next two. His teammates from the bench and fielders made a mad dash to the pitcher’s mound and formed a massive dogpile to celebrate the win.
The MVP for the tournament was announced as Edmond Americaan of Elite Squad who posted a ridiculous stat line that included going 12-for-23 at the plate with 10 RBI, 11 runs scored and nine stolen bases. MV-Pitcher was awarded to Jonathan Gettys after his dominant no-hit performance with 15 strikeouts in the semifinals for the Roadrunners.
Elite Squad Select will share the 17u BCS Finals crown with the GBSA Rays 17u team that were forced to leave on Friday due to travel arrangements. Team Elite Roadrunners will be co-runner-ups with Next Level Baseball 17u.
The win for Elite Squad comes as a bigger win emotionally as they played with heavy hearts after the passing of their coach Sergio Ambros. To read more about Coach Ambros and his impact on the Elite Squad program please read this feature from the 16u WWBA National Championship: Scrappers play with a heavy heart.
