There were a number of games between top 20 teams in both Clemmons and Oxford this weekend. Several favorites proved their worth, while a few underdogs made big statements this weekend. Overall, the most impressive performance had to the 9u Carolina Titans in Oxford. They went 4-0 for the weekend including a win over 9u #6 NCDB Rivercats in finals and outscored their opponents a combined 69-2 for the weekend.
Clemmons
8u
In a field that included several 7u teams, East Rowan 7u was able to come away with the 8u championship on Sunday. East Rowan went 4-0 for the weekend, including a win over Spartans Mullins on Saturday (14-1) and again on Sunday in the finals (12-2). For the weekend, East Rowan 7u outscored opponents 52-9 in an impressive display of coach pitch defense, especially for a 7u team.
9u
In an excellent field that 4 top 20 teams (#4 GBC Prospects, #7 Davidson County Rippers, #12 East Rowan, #13 SW Colts), it was the Colts who were able to outlast the competition to win the 9u championship. The Colts went 4-0 for the weekend including wins over the GBC Prospects on Saturday (8-5), the Davidson County Rippers in the semi-finals (13-3) as well as the HYAA Hawks in the finals (12-2). It was a disappointing weekend for both East Rowan, who finished 2-2 for the weekend, and the GBC Prospects, who finished a surprising 0-4 for the weekend. Those were the first 4 losses of the fall season for the Prospects.
10u
Although the favorite, #14 Red Sox – Snyder won the 10u championship on Sunday, it was an up and down weekend for the Sox. They started the tourney going 0-2 on Saturday with losses to the Virginia Reds (11-4) and the SW Colts (13-9). Much to their credit, they rebounded with 3 wins on Sunday, avenging their losses with wins over the Virginia Reds (13-0) and the SW Colts in the semi-finals (14-6), and a 16-3 win over Elite Baseball in the finals. Elite Baseball finished 3-1 this weekend, the SW Colts finished 2-1 for the weekend, and the DC Vipers finished a disappointing 2-2.
12u
In a bit of a surprise, it was the Carolina Rattlers who took home the championship on Sunday in the 12u age group. #4 Majestic Greensboro looked to be in control of the tournament going 3-0 with a combined score of 34-10 before losing to 11u #6 Five Star Carolina – Neyra 9-6 in the semi-finals. The Rattlers were able to best Five Star Carolina – Neyra 4-2 in the finals. Five Star Carolina – Neyra finished 3-2 for the weekend. The Carolina Rattlers rebounded from an 0-2 Saturday, including a loss to Majestic Greensboro (7-2) and Five Star Carolina – Neyra (6-5), to go 3-0 on Sunday to take the title.
13u
The Carolina Blaze took home the 13u crown this weekend in Clemmons. The Blaze overcame on opening 4-2 loss to Dirtbags Camo to finish the weekend 3-1 overall with a win over the Carolina Red Sox (4-2) in the finals. The Blaze used excellent defense and pitching to hold every opponent they faced to 5 runs or less en route to the championship. The Red Sox finished 3-2 for the weekend after an opening loss to Rural Hall Express (7-3) on Saturday.
Oxford
8u
After an 0-2 Saturday with losses to Garner Express (13-9) and the Granville Rays (5-3), things were not looking good for #4 Carolina Vandals. However they rallied on Sunday with wins over the Virginia Squires (20-4), NCDB Rivercats (11-3) and avenged their loss against Garner Express in the finals (11-8) to take home the championship. The Vandals finished 3-2 for the weekend.
9u
Although the 9u field was headlined by two top 10 teams in #5 Smash Baseball and #6 NCDB Rivercats, it was the surprise Carolina Titans from Elizabeth City who won the 9u championship. Smash Baseball and the NCDB Rivercats met on Saturday with NCDB sneaking out a 9-7 win. Both the Carolina Titans and the NCDB Rivercats finished 2-0 on Saturday, with Smash Baseball going 1-1. This placed the Titans and the Rivercats on opposite sides of the Sunday bracket but meant Smash had to face the Rivercats again in the semi-finals. Again NCDB came out victorious, this time by the score of 12-7. The Titans rolled through their semi-final against Extreme (15-0) to set up a showdown against NCDB in the finals. The Titans continued their dominating run in Oxford with an impressive 11-1 win over NCDB in the finals. For the weekend, the Carolina Titans outscored their 4 opponents 69-2.
10u
The #11 Carolina Thunder were the favorite heading into the weekend in the 10u age group and they did not disappoint, going 4-0 on their way to the championship. The Thunder rolled into the championship after 3 blow out wins, including a 14-4 win over the Southside Panthers (VA) in the semi-finals. They faced the Carolina Titans, who themselves had dominated their first three opponents, in the finals. In a back and forth game, the Carolina Thunder edged out the Titans 12-11.
11u
Dirtbags Black rolled to a 5-0 weekend, outscoring opponents 71-17 en route to the 11u championship in Oxford. The Dirtbags met the OC Crushers, who went 4-1 for the weekend, in the finals. Dirtbags Black were able to edge out the Crushers 8-3 in the finals, and improved their fall season record to 7-5 with the excellent results this weekend.
13u
In a wide open field, the HYAA Hawks came away with the championship after a 4-0 weekend. The Hawks rode their pitching and defense all weekend, outscoring their 4 opponents 34-7 to win the title. They were able to top Dirtbags Platinum, who went 3-1 for the weekend, 7-3 in the finals.