FORT MYERS, FL. — The TBT Ballers National and the Gulf Coast Monarchs cruised into the 13u Super25 National Championship game after dominating their semi-final match ups, each with an 8 run difference. Game after game throughout the tournament both teams ran up the score with the Monarchs averaging an 8.6 run difference per game, while the TBT Ballers averaged a difference of 10.2 runs over their opponents. With no shortage of power at the plate, it seemed it would come down to pitching and overall team strength to win this game.
Besides the Monarch’s strength on the field, Coach Dan Smith told PG what sets his team apart and helped them have an advantage during the championship is how “the majority of the boys have been together since they were 7, 8 years old and, they believe in each other and never quit”.
The TBT ballers started the game with Lenox Lively on the mound but quickly made a substitution after Lively allowed Owen Rardin of the Monarchs a line drive to right and then walked the next two at bat. In an attempt to salvage the inning, Danny Machado was brought it with the bases loaded and no outs.
After the substitution, the Monarchs were able to put their first run on the board with a run walked in and shortly after they brought the score to 3-0 as Cole Ingole and Charley Bergsma hit two back to back RBIs to left and center.
The TBT Ballers gave a similar performance starting the bottom of the first with a line drive to center field from Dayson Griffis resulting in 2 RBIs. Lenox Lively later finished off the inning with a ground out RBI to tie the game at 3-3.
The second inning gave the TBT Ballers a 1 run lead over the Monarchs after a balk from pitcher Johnny King brought the runner on third home.
After a scoreless second inning for the Monarchs, the team got their momentum back with a line drive to center for a double from Cole Ingole. Putting the teams 4th run on the board was Charley Bergsma with an single down the middle allowing for Ingole to score. Following shortly after was Jalen Foxx with a line drive to right for a single and another RBI.
After an error in a throw home, runners were able to advance to second and third putting them in scoring position when Owen Rardin of the Monarchs came to the plate. Rardin brought in his team mate with a pop out to center, giving him the third RBI of the inning and bringing the score to 6-4 with the Monarchs in the lead.
The TBT Ballers began their come back in the bottom of the fifth with a line drive down the middle for a single from Carlos Fuenmayor. Luke Keefer and John Rodriguez kept things going with singles of their own to second and third. After an error at third from Rodriguez’s hit, Keefer was put in scoring position at second. Talin Gardini then came to the plate and delivered a line drive to left field for a double and an RBI.
The sixth inning started off with two walks by the TBT Ballers and a pop out to left for an RBI from Jackson Geiger. Pitcher Drayson Griffis was able to keep the Monarchs at at 7 runs and they were forced to leave 3 on base.
Pitcher Johnny King of the Monarchs led his team through 6 innings until Carter Smith came in to close the game out after the brief lightning delay in the bottom of the sixth. The TBT Ballers managed to get on the board again with a line drive to right and an RBI, closing the difference in score to only one run.
In their last outing of the game, the Monarchs brought in one final run thanks to an RBI from Owen Rardin, bringing the score to 8-6 going into the bottom of the seventh. Despite a last minute double by Lou D’Alessio resulting in an RBI, the TBT Ballers could not come back against the Monarchs and the game ended with a score of 8-7.
Carter Smith was named the 2020 13u Super25 National Championship MVP.
-Julie Krzeminski