Dozens of top 20 teams were in action across the state of North Carolina (and even South Carolina) in the Top Gun events this past weekend. 9u #1 Park Sharon Nationals and #2 SBA Canes – Simmons put up impressive shows winning tournaments while playing in the 10u age groups in Charleston, SC and Charlotte, respectively. We also saw 12u #3 Park Sharon Nationals bounce back from a winless Saturday to win their tournament. Here’s a recap of the weekend’s games.
Charleston SC
Several North Carolina teams made the trip down to Charleston this past weekend to play in the National Youth Baseball Championships qualifier. We wanted to highlight some of their accomplishments here.
10u
9u #1 Park Sharon played up down in Charleston and did not disappoint. They went 2-0 on Saturday with a 14-5 win over the Carolina Prospects (SC) and a 12-2 win over the Myrtle Beach Rays (SC). They followed that up on Sunday with a 4-3 win over the Prospects in the quarterfinals, an 11-1 win over Team 24 Gamecocks – Bailey (SC) in the semifinals, and a 10-7 win over Showcase Baseball – Howze (GA) in the finals.
11u
#4 Five Star Carolina – Neyra went 2-0 in pool play with a 15-9 win over the Beaufort County Bombers (SC) and a 14-0 win over the Bravos in pool play, which earned them the #5 seed in pool play. The Carolina Bruins (SC) earned the top seed after a 13-1 win over the Carolina Bombsquad (SC) and a 4-3 win over the Bravos. In bracket play, the Bruins scored a 7-6 win over the Bombers, Five Star beat the Carolina Astros 4-0, the Hanahan Hawks (SC) topped the Powdersville Predators (SC) 5-3, and Carolina Teal (SC) beat the Rawlings Stars Prospects NC 9-1. In the semifinals, Carolina Teal topped the Hawks 10-9 and Five Star beat the Bruins 9-0. In the finals, Five Star completed the 5-0 weekend with a 10-5 win over Carolina Teal.
12u
#3 Park Sharon Nationals went a surprising 0-2 on Saturday with a 2-1 loss to CG Marucci Braves (SC) and a 10-6 loss to Five Star Carolina – Smith. #4 Five Star Carolina – Shelton went 2-0 on Saturday with a 10-2 win over the Marucci Braves and a 7-3 win over the Carolina Kraken powered by OTK, and earned the #1 seed for bracket play. In the quarter finals, Five Star – Shelton topped the Lowcountry Lightning (SC) 4-0, Five Star – Smith beat the Marucci Braves 16-6, the Kraken topped Bulls Bay Bandits 5-3, and Park Sharon beat the Dirt Devils 22-4. In the semifinals, Park Sharon beat the Kraken 9-5 while Five Star – Shelton topped Five Star – Smith 3-1. In the finals, Park Sharon came all the way back from a winless Saturday to score a 14-4 win over Five Star Carolina – Shelton.
Charlotte
9u
#9 Carolina Blue Mizuno went 2-0 on Saturday with a 14-3 win over the Davidson Force and a 12-3 win over Force Baseball and earned the #1 seed for bracket play. #14 Lake Norman Thunder went 1-1 on Saturday with an 11-3 loss to #15 East Rowan – Smith and an 18-1 win over the SBA LKN Canes – Rinaman. East Rowan – Smith also scored an 85 win over the LKN Hurricanes – Mann in pool play to earn the #3 seed for bracket play. The SCAA Fury went 2-0 on Saturday with a 16-1 win over Elite Baseball EBC and a 7-5 win over #18 Mount Holly Lightning and earned the #2 seed for Sunday. The Lightning topped Elite Baseball EBC 11-1 in their other pool play game. In the play-in games, the Cherryville Bombers topped the Lightning 7-6 and East Rowan – Smith scored a 19-6 win over the Charlotte Nationals. In the semifinals, Carolina Blue Mizuno blanked the Bombers 10-0 while East Rowan – Smith rolled to a 13-3 win over the Fury. In the finals, Carolina Blue completed a dominant tournament with a 10-2 win over East Rowan – Smith. For the weekend, Carolina Blue Mizuno outscored four opponents a combined 46-8.
10u
9u #2 SBA Canes – Simmons played in the 10u age division and went 2-0 in pool play with a 15-2 win over Elite Baseball EBC and a 12-2 win over Battalion and earned the #4 seed for bracket play. 10u #10 Carolina Havoc earned the top seed for bracket play with a 10-1 win over the Mooresville Legends and a 15-0 win over SBA Canes LKN. Copperheads – Snell/Heis earned the #2 seed with a 10-0 win over the Lake Norman Hammerheads and a 17-2 win over the LKN Hurricanes. 9u Team 24 Gamecocks – Ashley (SC) also played up this weekend and earned the #3 seed for pool play with a 9-0 win over Battalion and a 12-2 win over Elite Baseball EBC. In the play-in games, SBA Canes – Simmons topped Heat Baseball 13-3 while Team 24 – Ashley fell to the Mooresville Legends 11-10. In the semifinals, Canes – Simmons took out the Carolina Havoc 5-4 while the Copperheads beat the Legends 10-4. In the finals, Canes – Simmons completed a 5-0 weekend playing up an age group with a 13-8 win over the Copperheads.
11u
American
#14 Lake Norman Hurricanes went 1-1 on Saturday with a 10-4 win over Team USA Diamond King and an 11-9 loss to East Rowan and earned the #5 seed for bracket play. The Vision Bandits earned the #1 seed after a 15-2 win over Ultimate Performance – Johnson and a 10-7 win over Team USA Diamond King. The On Deck O’s earned the #2 seed with a 14-1 win over the Stealth Elite Falcons and a 12-10 win over Team 24 Gamecocks – Latham (SC). The Wedddington Warriors also went 2-0 on Saturday with a 6-5 win over the Carolina Reds and a 13-11 win over Team 24 – Latham and earned the #3 seed. In the play-in games, the Hurricanes defeated East Rowan 14-4 while the Warriors topped the Falcons 5-3. In the semifinals, the Hurricanes beat the Vision Bandits 8-1 and the On Deck O’s scored a 15-14 win over the Weddington Warriors. In the finals, the Hurricanes were able to knock out a 12-4 win over the On Deck O’s to finish 4-1 for the weekend.
National
The Grand Slam USA Stars went 2-0 in pool play with a 10-1 win over Mayhem Baseball and a 12-7 win over the Stealth Elite Orioles. The Vision Bandits White were also 2-0 with a 13-9 win over the Triple Crown Lookouts and a 21-4 win over the GSB Grizzlies, and earned the #2 seed for bracket play. Copperheads – Russ went 2-0 in pool play with a 14-13 win over the LKN Lightning and a 13-1 win over the Davidson Force and earned the #3 seed. In bracket play, Grand Slam topped the HQ4 Clippers 11-1 and Copperheads – Russ beat the Vision Bandits White 7-4. In the finals, Grand Slam scored a 10-5 win over the Copperheads.
12u
American
#2 Minion scored a 15-0 win over Copperheads – Sumner and a 5-3 win over Copperheads – Gaffney on Saturday and earned the #1 seed for bracket play. Spartans – Campbell lost 10-6 to Copperheads – Sumner and 12-5 to Copperheads – Gaffney in their two pool play games. On Sunday, Minion topped Spartans – Campbell 9-3 while Copperheads – Gaffney edged Copperheads – Sumner 11-10 in the other semifinal game. In the finals, Minion scored a 14-4 win over Copperheads – Gaffney.
National
Copperheads – DiMenna earned the top seed for Sunday with an 11-3 win over the South Carolina Predators and an 11-3 win over Elite Baseball EBC. Elite 9 Tomahawks (SC) earned the #2 seed with a 9-8 win over the Lake Norman Hurricanes and an 18-1 win over HQ4 Clippers. Team Carolina also went 2-0 on Saturday with a 13-6 win over the Lake Norman Steam and a 10-9 win over the OTK Saints. In the play-in games, the Hurricanes topped the Predators 13-6 while the OTK Saints beat Team Carolina 12-0. In the semifinals, the Elite 9 Tomahawks blanked the Saints 10-0 while the Copperheads edged the Hurricanes 5-4. In the finals, the Copperheads were able to complete the 4-0 weekend with an 18-8 win over the Tomahawks.
13u
The Lake Wylie Warriors were 2-o on Saturday with a 10-2 win over the GSB Grizzlies – Claws and a 9-1 win over the GSB Grizzlies – Teeth and aerned the #2 seed. Copperheads – Evernham earned the top seed with a 13-3 win over HQ4 Clippers Blue and a 9-0 win over Elite 9 (SC). Stars baseball went 2-0 on Saturday as well with a 9-4 win over the Karolina Kraken and a 14-4 win over the Triple Crown Lookouts and earned the #4 seed. In the play-in game, Stars Baseball topped Copperheads – Query 11-0. In the semifinals, the Lake Wylie Warriors edged Fury Baseball 8-7 while Stars Baseball got past Copperheads – Evernham 13-10. In the finals, the Lake Wylie Wylie scored their second 1-run win of the day with a 9-8 win over Stars Baseball.
Fayetteville
8u
The Carolina Freedom went 2-0 on Saturday with a 12-9 win over Palmetto State Copperhead Baseball and a 16-5 win over Etown Express. NSA also went 2-0 on Saturday with a 15-4 win over Palmetto State and a 12-8 win over Etown Express. On Sunday, the Freedom topped Palmetto State 14-5 while Etown Express scored a 14-11 win over NSA. In the finals, the Freedom edged past the Express 9-8 to finish 4-0 for the weekend.
9u
The Port City Lil Rebels went 1-1 on Saturday with a 17-1 win over the Carolina Diamondbacks and a 12-5 loss to the Elizabethtown Express. The Express also scored an 8-7 win over Cape Fear Elite to earn the top seed for pool play. Cape Fear Elite earned the #4 seed with an 18-7 win over the Diamondback in their other pool play game. In bracket play, the Lil Rebels topped the SouthWest Ripperz 12-11 while Cape Fear Elite beat the Elizabethtown Express 5-1. In the finals, the Lil Rebels scored another 1-run win with a 9-8 win over Cape Fear Elite.
11u
The SP Vipers earned the top seed for bracket play with a 16-0 win over the NSA Prospects and an 8-4 win over the Sandhills Stingrays. The Ballhogz received the #2 seed after an 8-1 win over the NSA Knights and a 10-5 win over the Sandhills Xplosion. In the play-in games, Pirates Elite topped the Bladen Revolution 11-4 and Area Stars – Derick beat Carolina Elite 12-6. In the semifinals, teh SP Vipers edged Pirates Elite 11-10 while Area Stars – Derick topped the BallHogz 12-2. In the finals, the SP Vipers beat the Area Stars 12-9.
13u
CB Elite went 2-0 on Saturday with a 7-6 win over Heat Baseball and an 11-9 win over CDP – Derick. CDP – Roper earned the top seed for bracket play with a 2-1 win over CB and a 9-6 win over the NSA Stealerz. In the play-in games, Heat Baseball topped CDP – Derick 13-1 and CB topped the Stealerz 10-0. In the semifinals, CDP – Roper edged Heat Baseball 15-14 while CB Elite beat CB 12-11. In the finals, CB Elite completed a 4-0 weekend with a 6-3 win over CDP – Roper.
Locust
8u
The Belmont Bandits went 2-0 on Saturday with a 15-14 win over the Anson Raptors and a 9-8 win over the Union County Crush – Bennett. Union County Crush – Gadd went 2-0 in pool play with a 16-3 win over the 7u Piedmont Panthers and a 21-5 win over the Carolina Storm. In bracket play, the Belmont Bandits scored a 1-0 win over the Carrabus Bandits and Union County Crush – Gadd notched a 14-2 win over the Carolina Storm. In the finals, the Bandits scored a 12-10 win over Crush – Gadd.
9u
Previously ranked Union County Crush – Walker went 2-0 on Saturday with a 16-4 win over Autotek and a 13-0 win over Inferno Baseball. Union County Crush – Allen earned the #2 seed for bracket play with a 9-8 win over the Stanly County Renegades and a 13-8 win over Inferno Baseball. In the play-in games on Sunday, the DSG Hitmen topped Inferno 12-2 and the Renegades beat Autotek 11-2. In the semifinals, Crush – Walker topped DSG 13-5 while the Renegades blasted their way to a 25-8 win over Crush – Allen. In the finals, Crush – Walker edged past the Renegades for a 6-5 win.
10u
The Mallard Creek Miners went 2-0 on Saturday with a 20-0 win over the Concord Comets and a 25-0 win over the Carolina Cobras. The Panthers also went 2-0 on Saturday with a 20-7 win over Bonecrushers and a 15-0 win over the Concord Comets. Aces- Hartsell was also 2-0 in pool play with a 5-4 win over Bonecrushers and a 19-3 win over Union County Crush – Henry. In bracket play, the Miners topped Crush – Henry 17-2 while the Panthers edged past Aces – Hartsell 10-9. In the finals, the Miners scored a 13-3 win over the Panthers to finish 4-0 for the weekend.
11u
Aces – Thompson went 4-0 for the weekend with a 20-6 win over the Carrabus Knights and a 9-3 win over Carolina Fury – Matthews on Saturday, followed by a 9-3 win over Fury – Matthews and a 13-3 win over the Knights on Sunday. Fury Matthews topped the Knights twice in their other two games with a 9-8 win on Saturday and a 13-3 win on Sunday.
12u
Ultimate Performance went 2-0 on Saturday scoring a 12-2 win over Union County Crush – Devore and a 12-1 win over the Concord Comets. The Mooresville Biscuits were also 2-0 on Saturday with an 11-8 win over the Harrisburg Hammerheads and an 11-3 win over the Concord Athletics. In the play-in game in bracket play, the Hammerheads topped Concord Athletics 16-7. In the semifinals, Ultimate Performance scored a 12-2 win over the Harrisburg Hammerheads and Crush – Devore topped the Biscuits 13-10. In the finals, Ultimate Performance rolled to a 13-2 win over Crush – Devore.
Snow Hill
8u
This division was played as a 5-team, 4-game, single round-robin event. #12 Greenville Athletics went 2-0 on Saturday with a 20-4 win over the Carolina Rampage and a 10-2 win over #13 Carolina Stingers. The Stingers scored a 13-5 win over the Carolina Crushers in their other game on Saturday. Only one game was able to be played on Sunday due to the rain and the Carolina Crushers scored an 8-6 win over the Athletics in that game.
10u
The Carolina Pilots went 2-0 on Saturday with a 9-2 win over the 9u Wilson Reds and a 6-5 win over the Jacksonville Generals and earned the #1 seed for bracket play. Bomb Squad earned the #2 seed with a 5-4 win over the Carolina Muddawgs and a 14-7 win over the Clinton Colts. The PC Dynamite also went 2-0 on Saturday with a 12-10 win over the Carolina Dodgers and a 16-15 win over the OC Sluggers. On Sunday, only one game was able to be played and the PC Dynamite topped the Clinton Colts 13-8.
11u
In the D2 division, previously ranked Carolina Titans Blue went 2-0 on Saturday with a 14-1 win over Purpose Driven South and a 6-2 win over the Wendell Sharks. The Carolina Rage also went 2-0, scoring a 14-1 win over the Rawlings Prospects 2025 and a 5-2 win over the Wendell Sharks. Purpose Driven also topped the Prospects 9-4 in their other pool play game. No games were played on Sunday in this division.
13u
Previously ranked PITT413 went 2-0 on Saturday with a 17-12 win over the New Bern Naughty Boys and a 25-1 win over the Dixon Bulldogs. The Morehead City Mavericks also went 2-0 in pool play with a 13-8 win over the Naughty Boys and an 8-2 win over the Bulldogs.No games were played on Sunday in this division.
Wake County
8u
#5 Dirtbags East went 2-0 on Saturday with a 19-4 win over East Coast Elite and an 18-11 win over GBI Express. #6 Youngsville Phantoms also went 2-0 in pool play with a 12-2 win over North Wake Fungo and a 23-12 win over the Granville Rays. The NCDB Rivercats also went 2-0 in pool play, scoring a 25-1 win over the Cleveland Wildcats Red & Black and a 9-5 win over North Wake Fungo. In the play-in games on Sunday the JoCo Spartans topped East Coast Elite 17-11 and GBI Express scored an upset 11-3 win over Dirtbags East. In the semifinals, NCDB topped the Spartans 20-7 while the Phantoms beat GBI Express 7-1. In the finals, NCDB was able to score a tight 8-5 win over the Phantoms to take home the 8u title.
9u
#19 GBI Express went 0-2 in pool play with a 8-6 loss to the Carolina Freedom and a 7-4 loss to the North Wake Warriors. The Warriors earned the #1 seed for bracket play with a 12-4 win over the Freedom in their other pool play game. The JoCo Spartans earned the #2 seed, going 1-1 in pool play with a 12-4 win over the Carolina Armor and a 12-8 loss to the Carolina Raiders. In the play-in games, the Freedom topped the Raiders 10-9 and GBI Express beat the Carolina Armor 13-3. In the semifinals, the North Wake Warriors beat the Freedom 10-2 and GBI Express rolled to a 16-1 win over the Spartans. In the finals, the Warriors completed their 4-0 weekend with a 7-3 win over GBI Express.
10u
In the Open division, #8 Alamance Patriots went 2-0 in pool play with a 10-2 win over the East Carolina Bombers and a 13-8 win over the Sandhills Stingrays. #16 Carolina Thunder also went 2-0 with a 9-3 win over the Wendell Knights and a 9-8 loss to #18 Youngsville Heat. The Heat also defeated the Sandhills Stingrays 6-2 to earn the #2 seed for pool play. In the play-in game, the Thunder topped Area Stars – Stanton 13-3. In the semifinals, the Heat scored a come from behind 8-5 win over the Carolina Armor Blue while the Thunder topped the Patriots 11-9 to hand the Patriots their first loss of the spring. The finals appear to have been rained out as no score is reported, however the Heat came away as the champion as the highest seeded team in the finals.
11u
D1
#9 Team Ghost went 0-2 on Saturday with a 12-11 loss to NSA 06 Elite and a blow out 26-11 loss against the NCDB Rivercats. #11 Cleveland Wildcats Elite went 2-0 on Saturday with an 11-0 win over NSA and a 10-8 win over the Rivercats. On Sunday, the Rivercats topped NSA 14-9 in one semifinal, while the Wildcats beat Team Ghost 11-5 in the other semifinal. In the finals, the Rivercats got their revenge on the Wildcats, scoring a 9-5 win to take home the title. Team Ghost also scored a 12-2 win over NSA in the consolation game.
D2
#7 North Wake Fungo went 2-0 on Saturday with a 11-2 win over The Core Baseball and a 14-6 win over the Alamance Angels. The Dirt Devils also went 2-0 on Saturday with a 7-4 win over the Angels and a 9-5 win over The Core. On Sunday, the Dirt Devils again topped The Core and the Angels defeated Fungo 11-4 to reach the finals. In the finals, the Angels pulled out a 9-8 win over the Dirt Devils to complete the comeback from an 0-2 Saturday. Fungo topped The Core 14-10 in the consolation game.
12u
The Tidewater Bombers (VA) earned the top seed for bracket play with a 6-3 win over the Washington River Rats and a 9-2 win over Area Stars – Pate. The Pitt County Diamond Dawgs earned the #2 seed after a 10-5 win over the TPA Nationals – Foster and a 12-6 win over Zone Select – Wilson. The Nationals scored an 8-2 win over Zone Select – Wilson in their other pool play game. In the play-in games, the Nationals topped the River Rats 14-12 and North Wake Fungo beat the Wendell Nationals 14-10. In the semifinals, the TPA Nationals topped the Tidewater Bombers 9-7 and the Diamond Dawgs beat Fungo 5-1. In the finals, the TPA Nationals – Foster beat the Diamond Dawgs 13-5 to take the 12u crown.
Of note, 11u #17 Carolina Pilots went 4-1 and scored a silver bracket championship in the 12u D3 division. They went 1-1 in pool play with a 12-11 win over Hammerheads – Purple and a 5-1 loss to the Wayne County Arsenal. On Sunday, they defeated the North Raleigh Tsunami 8-4, Zone Select 16-2, and the Carolina Raiders 6-1.
13u
60/90
This division was played as a 5-team, 4-game, single round-robin event. #3 Knights Prime went 2-0 on Saturday with a 5-3 win over the West Raleigh Skeeters and a 5-2 win over Carolina Titans – Ambrose. #9 Dirtbags – Smith went 1-1 on Saturday with a 17-6 loss to the North Wake Thunder and a 2-1 win over the Titans – Ambrose. The Thunder fell 11-0 to the Skeeters in their other game on Saturday. On Sunday, Knights Prime completed their undefeated run with 9-1 win over the North Wake Thunder and a 4-2 win over Dirtbags – Smith. The Dirtbags defeated the Skeeters 5-4 in their other Sunday game. The Titans, who finished 2-2 for the weekend, went 2-0 on Sunday with an 8-7 win over the Skeeters, who finished 1-3 for the weekend, and a 10-9 win over the North Wake Thunder, who finished 1-3 for the weekend.
54/80
This division was also played as a 5-team, 4-game, single round-robin event. #20 Orange County Crushers went 1-1 on Saturday with a 10-0 win over the Riptide and a 5-3 loss to the North Wake Bandits. The Bandits also scored a 9-8 win over the Five Star Wildcats on Saturday. The South Wake Storm Red went 1-1 on Saturday with an 8-5 win over the Riptide and an 11-10 loss to the Five Star Wildcats. On Sunday, the Crushers went 2-0 with a 10-2 win over the Wildcats and a 16-5 win over South Wake to finish 3-1 and take home the title for the 54/80 D2 division. The Bandits went 0-2 on Sunday with an 11-7 loss to the Riptide and a 10-4 loss to South Wake