2003 Baseball America/Perfect Game
World Wood Bat Championship

Game Capsules for July 11
Compiled by David Rawnsley

Completion of July 10 Schedule

Reno Aces 4 (2-2), Northern Reign 1 (2-2)

The Reno Aces and Northern Reign combined for 18 hits, 10 by the Aces but the Aces came up with the clutch hits and the Reign ended up with 10 runners left on base in a 4-1 Aces victory. RHP Brandon Huff ('04, Douglas HS, Minden, NV) scattered 8 hits in a complete game effort and the win for the Aces. LF Garrett Banks ('04, Reno HS, NV) had 3 hits and an Rbi single for Reno. 2B Austin Akau ('03, Marysville HS, Lake Stevens, WA) had three hits for the Northern Reign and twin brother Devin Akau ('03, Marysville HS) added 2 more.

Bama Bombers 3 (1-4), East Cobb Braves 0 (2-2)

The Bama Bombers, decimated by injuries and down to 9 players on their roster, pulled off one of the biggest upsets of the tournament, shutting out the East Cobb Braves 3-0. RHP Ryan Barnett ('04, Walker HS, Jasper, AL) pitched a gem, throwing a 2-hitter and facing only 3 hitters over the minimum. 6-7 RHP Michael Schlact ('04, Wheeler HS, Marietta, GA) was almost as effective for the Braves but the Bombers were able to come up with the clutch hits in the late innings. Schlact pitched in the 89-92 mph range early in the game but became more hittable as he lost velocity. C Blake Evans ('05, Tuscaloosa County HS, Northport, AL) doubled in the first Bombers run in the 5th after a walk. 1B Matt Bentley ('03, Alabama) took care of the insurance runs in the 6th inning when his double plated 2 runs.

East Cobb Ringors 12 (3-1), SW Florida Eagles 0 (0-4)

The East Cobb Ringors walked their way to 12 runs in 4 innings to defeat the SW Florida Eagles 12-0 in a run rule shortened contest. Eagles pitchers walked 13 hitters, with 8 of those coming around to score and the Ringors only registered 3 hits. 3B Chase Swanson ('03, Mercer) led the parade with 3 walks and 3 runs scored. Ringors pitcher Jimmy Hess ('03) allowed 3 hits in 4 innings and didn't walk a batter to pick up the win.

Regularly scheduled July 11 games

Northern Reign 1 (3-2), Bill Hood 0 (4-1)

Northern Reign, playing their second game of the morning, upset previously unbeaten Bill Hood 1-0 to maintain their medal play hopes. RHP Preston Langliers ('03) pitched a masterpiece for Northern Reign, allowing 2 hits and facing 2 batters over the minimum for 7 innings. The Reign pieced together 2 of their 4 hits around 2 sac bunts and a walk to score a lone run in the 3rd inning. 3B Steve Sperry led off the inning with a single and eventually scored on SS Devin Akau's ('03, Marysville HS, WA) 2 out single. RHP Brandon Strickland ('03, SLU) took the hard luck loss for Bill Hood.

Miami Thunderstorm 3 (4-0-1), Yard Dogs 2 (2-3)

The Miami Thunderstorm edged the Yard Dogs 3-2 in a battle between 2 Florida teams. RHP Carlos Milito ('03, Florida International) allowed the first two Yard Dogs hitters to score on a walk, a triple by CF Ryan Strauss ('04, Bloomingdale HS, Tampa, FL) and single by SS Bobby Molinaro ('04, American Heritage HS, Delray Beach, FL), then pitched a 1-hit shutout the rest of the way, retiring 13 straight hitters at one point. The Yard Dogs made 2 errors in the 3rd inning when the Thunderstorm tied the game at 2-2, with OF O.D. Gonzalez ('03, Broward CC) contributing a game tying single. DH Michael Davila ('03, Barry) drove in the winning run in the 4th with a bases loaded sacrifice fly.

DBAT Yankees 6 (3-2), Knoxville Yard 2 (4-1)

The DBAT Yankees knocked the Knoxville Yard from the unbeaten ranks with a 6-2 victory Saturday morning. The Yankees put together 6 hits in the 3rd inning to score 4 runs. DH Tony Giangiulio ('04, Highlands Park HS, Dallas, TX) had the big hit of the inning, a 2-out bases loaded single. RF Jamarkus James ('04, Grand Prairie HS, TX) had 3 hits and scored 2 runs for the Yankees while Ryan Reidel ('04, Newman Smith HS, Dallas, TX) had 2 hits and an Rbi. RHP Jeremy Jenkins ('04, Hallisville HS, Longview, TX) picked up the win with 4 innings of work. RHP Jess Todd ('04, Kilgore HS, TX) picked up the save, retiring the last 5 hitters with a 90-91 mph fastball and plus slider. RF Dontavious McDowell ('04, The Tucker School, Atlanta) and SS Cale Iorg ('04, Karns HS, Knoxville, TN) each had 2 hits for Knoxville.

Ohio Warhawks 7 (4-1), Louisiana Legends 3 (2-2-1)

The Ohio Warhawks scored 5 runs in the first inning to offset 2 first inning Louisiana Legends runs and held on for a 7-3 victory in a 5 inning time limit game. SS Matt Antonelli ('03, Wake Forest) led off the game with a single for the Warhawks and Jimmy Negrych ('03, Pittsburgh) followed with another single. 2B Cory Rasmus ('06, Russell County HS, Phenix City, AL) closed the rally with a 2 run single. The Warhawks 2 relievers, RHP Eric Cordier ('04, Sturgeon Bay, WI) and RHP Brian Futral ('04, Newman HS, GA), held the Legends scoreless for 3 2/3's innings, although the Legends left 7 men on base the last 4 innings. DH Jeffries Tatford ('03, UL-Lafayette) had 2 hits for the Legends and CF David Schexnailder ('03) had an Rbi double.

Team Florida USA 17 (3-2), Indiana Mustangs 4 (0-5)

Team Florida USA fell behind the Indiana Mustangs 4-1 after 3 innings, then erupted for 16 consecutive runs over the next 3 innings to post a 17-4 victory. Team Florida scored a tournament high 12 runs in the 6th inning and racked up 17 hits for the game. C Dustin Bamberg ('04 Winter Haven HS, FL) and 1B Joey Williamson ('04, Santaluces HS, Lantana, FL) each had 4 hits, with Bamberg scoring 4 runs. RF Andrew McCutcheon ('05, Fort Meade HS, FL) had 3 hits and 3 Rbi's.

East Cobb Brewers 3 (2-3), Puerto Rico Raiders 1 (1-4)

The East Cobb Brewers defeated the Puerto Rico Raiders 3-1 in a game called with 2 out in the top of the 6th inning due to an injury to the Raiders CF Carlos Valle. The game was tied at 1-1 with 2 outs and East Cobb runners on 1st and 2nd when the Brewers 2B Kevin Bal ('03) sliced a line drive to right center field. Valle and the Raiders right fielder collided as Valle dove for the ball and Valle sustained a broken arm. The 2 runners scored, making the game 3-1. The long delay to treat Valle, coupled with Puerto Rico's concern for their teammate and the lack of medal play implications for the game, caused the game to be called at that point.

East Cobb Yankees 10 (5-0), San Antonio Hackers 2 (3-2)

The San Antonio Hackers dropped a 10-2 run rule decision to the East Cobb Yankees in 5 innings, but became the first team to score on the #1 seeded Yankees during the Tournament. The Yankees rolled to 5 straight victories by a combined 52-2 margin. San Antonio RF Matt Villani ('04, Reagan HS, San Antonio, TX) hit a 2-run double in the 5th inning to provide the runs. RHP Thomas Turner ('03, Georgia Southern) had taken a 1 hit shutout into the 5th inning before allowing the runs. CF Danny Payne ('04, Sequoyah HS, Woodstock, GA) led the Yankees attack with 2 hits and 3 Rbi's from the leadoff spot. 1B Whit Robbins continued his hot hitting during the Tournament with 2 more hits.

Seattle A's 5 (5-0), Norcross Blue Devils 3 (2-3)

The Seattle A's edged the Norcross Blue Devils 5-3 in a hard fought game with multiple medal play implications. Seattle completed their perfect run through pool play and secured the #2 seed for medal play. A win would have meant a spot in medal play for the Blue Devils, but they gave Seattle 3 unearned runs and saw another run score from 2nd base on an infield out. A's RHP Nick Whitworth ('03 Edmonds CC) held Norcross scoreless through 4 innings and got the win with 6 solid innings of work. The Blue Devils had the bases loaded and 1 run in already with 2 outs in the bottom of the 7th inning before a ground out ended the game. Norcross left a total of 12 runners on base during the contest.

East Cobb Cardinals 4 (1-3-1), Indiana Yankees 3 (3-1-1)

The East Cobb Cardinals edged the Indiana Yankees 4-3, knocking the previously undefeated Yankees from a #2 group seed to a #4 group seed. 1B Jo White ('04, South Forsyth HS, Cumming, GA) had 3 hits, including 2 Rbi singles, to lead the Cardinals. RHP Jeramy Compton ('03, Young Harris JC) hurled a complete game for East Cobb, holding the Yankees scoreless except for the 4th inning and retiring the last 10 hitters in order. 3B Brian Smiley ('03) had 2 hits, including a 2 out, 2 Rbi single for the Yankees.

Huntington Hounds 4 (2-2-1), Georgia Pirates 0 (0-5)

Huntington Hounds RHP Clarence Nicely ('04, Cabell Midland HS, Barboursville, WV) threw his second complete game gem of the tournament, shutting out the Georgia Pirates on 2 hits in a 4-0 Hounds victory. Nicely allowed 1 run and 4 hits in his two wins. Pirates pitcher RHP Jacob Watson ('05, Harrison HS, Marietta, GA) held the Hounds to 3 hits and a lone run before leaving after 6 innings. Huntington broke through for 3 insurance runs in the 7th on hits by CF Josh Miller ('03, West Virginia) and LF Josh Titlow ('04, St. Albans HS, WV) and a couple of Georgia fielding errors.

Austin Baseball Club 8 (3-2), NY Yellow Jackets 3 (2-3)

LHP Chance Wheeless ('03, Texas) pitched the Austin Baseball Club to a 8-3 victory over the NY Yellow Jackets with a complete game effort. The 6-5 Wheeless settled down after allowing 3 runs in the 2nd inning to shutout the Yellow Jackets the rest of the way, striking out 9. Austin hitters took advantage of 8 Yellow Jackets walks over the first 3 innings to score 7 of their runs. 2B Jay Russell ('03, New Mexico) had a big 2 run single in the 3rd inning, when Wheeless also contributed an Rbi double. C Jimmy Thoma ('03) had 2 hits for Austin. SS Adam Ottavino ('03) and 2B Antonio Cardona ('04, Berkley Carroll HS, Brooklyn, NY) had Rbi doubles for the Yellow Jackets.

East Cobb Braves 5 (3-2), SW Florida Eagles 1 (0-5)

The East Cobb Braves scored 3 runs in the top of the 7th inning to break open a close game and clinch a medal round berth with a 5-1 victory over the SW Florida Eagles. Singles by LF Tyler Childs ('04, Northgate HS, Sharpsburg, GA), RF Robby Hearn ('04, Loganville HS, GA) and 3B Stephen Brock ('04, North Gwinnett HS, Suwanee, GA) keyed the 7th inning rally. Hearn had an Rbi single earlier in the game, also.
RHP Mark Doll ('04, North Forsyth HS, Cumming, GA) got the win with 5 innings of 3 hit ball.

Diamond Devils 17's 0 (2-2-1), Mobile Bay Sox 0 (1-3-1)

Diamond Devils 17's and Mobile Bay Sox sparred to the only 0-0 tie thus far in the Tournament. The score was not surprising for the Diamond Devils, who only allowed 3 runs in 5 games but only scored 6. Diamond Devils RHP Kent Altman hurled a complete game, scattering 5 hits and striking out 9. Bay Sox pitcher RHP Phil Walters ('03, South Alabama) matched Altman, allowing 5 hits and striking out 7. 2B Ryne Jernigan ('04, Milton HS, FL) and 3B Josh Donaldson ('04, Faith Academy, Daphne, AL) each had 2 hits for the Bay Sox. DH Dan Woodall ('04, Hopewell HS, Huntersville, NC) had 2 singles for the Diamond Devils.

Texas Gators 6 (2-3), Charlotte Express 4 (1-4)

Texas Gators scored 6 runs in the first 2 innings and made it stand up for a 6-4 victory over the Charlotte Express. 1B Nathan Haley ('03, Brookhaven JC) and CF Joseph Cervantez ('03) each had key 2 run doubles for the Gators. The Express scored 4 runs in the 4th inning courtesy of 5 Texas errors.

Texas Scout Team 3 (3-2), Dallas Panthers 2 (1-3-1)

LHP Jason Thell ('04, Leander HS, Cedar Park, TX) single handedly led the Texas Scout Team to a 3-2 victory over the Dallas Panthers. Thell pitched a complete game and had 2 Rbi singles, one in the 7th inning to give Texas the lead. Thell outdualed Dallas Panther RHP Tate Casey ('04, Longview HS, TX). DH Jeff Boes ('04 Jesuit HS, Dallas, TX) had a solo home run for the Panthers.

Central Florida Renegades 8 (2-3), South Carolina Spirit 4 (3-2)

The Central Florida Renegades knocked out 10 hits in the course of a 8-4 victory over the South Carolina Spirit. RF Paul Keller ('04, Northside Christian HS, St. Petersburg, FL) had a triple and a single for the Renegades and DH Brandon Webb ('03, St. Leo) and LF Mike Lawro ('03) added 2 singles apiece. Webb also pitched the last 2 innings, finished the game for winner RHP Andrew Knox ('03, Wake Forest). CF Clay McCord ('04) had a single and a double and scored 2 runs for the Spirit. SS Taylor Harbin ('04, Traveler's Rest HS, SC), who has given Clemson an early commitment, hit a long home run in the 7th inning for South Carolina.

Ontario Blue Jays 4 (4-1), East Cobb A's 0 (0-5)

The Ontario Blue Jays rode home runs from C Kevin Brown ('03) and RF Brendan Smith ('03) to a 4-1 win over the East Cobb A's. RHP Brad Hay ('03) came into the game with 2 outs, the bases loaded and a run in in the first inning and shut out the A's for 6 1/3 innings to get the win. CF Jonathan Baksh ('03) added 2 hits for the Blue Jays.

Brevard Stars 8 (3-2), Georgia A's 4 (1-4)

The Brevard Stars scored 6 runs in the bottom of the 6th inning to break open a 2-1 ball game and survived a 3 run Georgia A's rally in the 7th to post a 8-4 victory. A's pitcher Jordan Bell ('03) was cruising going into the 6th inning, having retired 13 straight Brevard hitters after allowing 2 runs in the first inning, before the game spun out of control. C Brandon Rommans ('04, Cocoa, FL) had a 2 run single in the inning. 3B Sean Morrison ('05, Cocoa, FL) scored the first run of the inning after singling and drove in the final run on a bases loaded hit batter. LF Jeff Barfield ('03, South Georgia CC) and 2B Brandon Young ('03, Gordon CC) each had 2 hits for Georgia.

East Cobb Ringors 10 (4-1), Reno Aces 2 (2-3)

The East Cobb Ringors jumped out early on the Reno Aces and finished a 10-2 win after 4 ½ innings on run rule. DH Brett Blome ('04, Adairsville HS, GA) and LF Scott Faulkner ('03) each had 2 hits for the Ringors, who jumped on 3 Reno pitchers for 10 hits. LHP Brandon Hollar ('03, Kennesaw State) pitched 4 1/3 innings for the win.

East Cobb Astros 3 (3-1-1), X-Team Florida 3 (3-1-1)

In a game to determine the #2 group seed in their pool, the East Cobb Astros and X-Team Florida had to leave the distinction to tie breakers, battling to a 3-3 tie. 1B Nick DeSilvio ('05, Etowah HS, Woodstock, GA) and DH Jason Dew ('05, Walton HS, Marietta, GA) each had run scoring singles for the Astros, who had already pulled out final at bat wins earlier in the tournament. C Robert Lara ('05, Nova HS, Ft. Lauderdale, FL) had a Rbi single and LF Dennis Raben ('05, Hollywood Hills HS, FL) an Rbi double for X-Team.