10-Year-Old Cal Ripken World Series
Ralph Sellers Field
Abbeville, Louisiana
West Raleigh, NC 3
Buchanan Bears 2
WP: Matthew Everhart
LP: DJ Martinez
B: Martinez 2-3, 2b
WR: no multiple hits for any batter
The Buchanan Bears’ road to a World Series Championship ended as Tournament Most Valuable Player Jake Wilson came in relief in the 6th inning to retired the side to assure there was not going to be a game 2 to claim the World Series title for West Raleigh, NC The lost, only the 4th of the year for Buchanan against other 10 year old teams, took the early lead in the bottom of the 1st on a few key hustle plays by the Bears.
Consecutive singles by All Tournament selections JT Arruda and Grant Gambrell set the table for another All Tournament selection player Cory Williams. Williams worked the count full and walked on a wild pitch that scored Arruda who had advanced to 3rd on an earlier passed ball. With runners at the corners, Mitch Casillas, the 4th All Tournament selection, hit into a fielder’s choice that scores Gambrell.
West Raleigh scored their 1st run in the top of the 4th. Stephen Scott doubles to left field to lead off then Ryan Jeffers hits a ground ball to Short and reaches on a fielder’s choice with all runners being safe on the play. Runners at first and third for Jake Wilson. Stephen Scott scores on a double steal with Jeffers being tagged out at second.
West Raleigh put together a nice sequence of offensive plays that gave them the lead going into the bottom of the 6th. Cory Wood with a lead off single on a bunt for Cory Gensler’s sacrifice bunt moves Wood to second. Scott walks to put runners at first and second with one out. Both runners advance on a passed ball to put two in scoring position. One strike out later Jake Wilson re-enters the game to bat for West Raleigh. Wilson reaches on a hit by pitch to load the bases. Carrieri re-enters the game to bat and promptly singles up the middle that plates both Wood and Scott. West Raleigh now up 3-2 sends in Jake Wilson who promptly strikes out 2 and gets the 3rd out on a ground ball to end the ball game.
The Bears’ magical season ends not with defeat, but with pride in that they could have easily given up after the thumping they took from West Raleigh 2 nights before 9-1. Yet the battle the best team in the country that is still undefeated. Battle them to the end and force WR to play their absolute best in order to beat the Bears. That’s all you can ask for in a Team of 10 year olds. Play your best and force your opponent to play their best to beat you. Most who were there would say it could probably be one of the best 10 year old baseball game they ever seen. No errors, great plays, clutch hitting, outstanding pitching, and good coaching. The atmosphere was also outstanding. Class shown by both crowds, Applause for all. It was simply put a great night of baseball.
All Tournament Selection Players from Buchanan
All Purpose: JT Arruda
SS: Grant Gambrell
C: Mitch Casillas
OF: Cory Williams
P: DJ Martinez
Other Tournament Honors
1. Home Run Contest Champion: Cory Williams
2. Most Home Runs in the Tournament: (2) Cory Williams (Tied Tournament Record)
3. Most RBI's in the Tournament: (8) Grant Gambrell (Broke Tournament Record)
4. Tournament Batting Champion: (.667) DJ Martinez
5. Team Most HR's in the Tournament: (4, Williams 2, Gambrell 1, Martinez 1) Buchanan
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