Despite the rain-shortened weekend across the state of North Carolina, there were still some excellent competition and some of the best teams in the state in action. Already several teams have made some statements about where they stand in their respective age groups and there were some impressive performances this weekend in Top Gun events. Take a look at our recap for a rundown of the weekend’s games.
Charlotte
8u
#6 Lake Norman Vipers picked up right where they left off, going 3-0 this weekend in Charlotte on their way to the championship. They started their weekend with an 11-8 win over Coul-Oak Diesel and followed that with a 17-3 win over the Carolina Spinners to reach the championship against Team 24 Gamecocks – Clayton (SC). In the championship, the Vipers continued their impressive offensive show with a 19-6 win over the Gamecocks. Dating back to last October, the Vipers have won 16 straight Top Gun games.
9u
As expected, Team 24 Gamecocks – Ashley (SC) impressed this weekend going 3-0 and outscoring opponents 33-1 on their way to the championship. They started their weekend with a 10-1 win over the Stealth Elite Eagles and followed that up with 15-0 win over SBA Canes Red. In the championship, the Gamecocks blanked the Storm 8-0.
10u
The 10u age group was split into a 9-team National division and a 5-team American division. In the National division, the NCCF Defenders were able to go 2-0 in pool play with a close 7-4 win over the Davidson Force and a nail-biting 8-7 win over the Stealth Elite Orioles, and earned a spot in the final. The other spot in the finals went to the Mooresville Legends, who went 2-0 in pool play with a 12-11 win over Elite Baseball EBC and a 9-5 win over Battalion. In the finals, the Defenders rolled over the Legends 12-2 to take home the National division title.
In the American division, Copperheads – Snell/Heis went 2-0 in pool play with a 10-6 win over Crush Homewood and a 17-1 win over Panthers. The other spot in the finals went to the Triple Crown Lookouts who went 1-1 in pool play. They topped the Carolina Spinners 15-5 but lost to the Panthers 12-11, which was still good enough to secure a spot in the finals. In the finals, the Lookouts rolled over the Copperheads 17-4.
11u
Much like the 10u age group, the 11u age group was divided into a 8-team National division and a 5-team American division. In the National division, the Stanly County Titans went 2-0 in pool play with a 7-3 win over SBA LKN Canes – Pickard and a 7-2 win over the Hickory Hurricanes to earn a spot in the finals. Myers Park Trinity also went 2-0 in pool play including a 10-3 win over the Triple Crown Lookouts and a 9-8 win over the SBA Canes – Walker, and earned a spot in the finals. In the finals, the Stanly County Titans blasted the Myers Park Trinity 16-0.
In the American division, #11 Athlete’s Lab/Carolina Crushers went 2-0 in pool play with a 10-4 win over Team USA Diamond King and a 7-5 win over the Carolina Astros, and earned a spot in the finals. The other spot in the finals went to the LKN Attack. The Attack topped Team USA Diamond King 14-1 and #13 OTK Saints 6-4. In the finals, LKN Attack topped Athlete’s Lab 4-2 to take home the title.
12u
The 12u age group was also divided into National and American divisions. In the National division, Copperheads – Sumner went 2-0 in pool play with a 11-4 win over Elite Baseball EBC and a 12-2 win over the Mooresville Biscuits. The Carolina Tide also went 2-0 with a 17-0 win over the Lake Norman Steam and a 9-4 win over the On Deck O’s. In the finals, the Copperheads continued to roll with an 11-4 win over the Tide.
In the American division, #2 Minion was as dominant as ever with a 15-0 win over Copperheads – DiMenna and an 11-1 win over Team 24 Gamecocks – Wilson. 5 Star LKN also went 2-0 in pool play scoring a 4-1 win over the Gamecocks and an 11-1 win over the Carolina RAMpage. In the finals, Minion continued their strong run of play this spring with a 10-3 win over 5 Star LKN and moved to 7-0 overall this spring.
Greensboro
8u
The Carolina Young Guns went 2-0 this weekend with two wins over the HYAA Hawks (14-1, 18-8).
10u
#11 Alamance Patriots went 2-0 in pool play on Saturday with a 8-1 win over GBC Prospects – Clark and a 23-1 win over the North Wake Cardinals. The Randolph Regulators also went 2-0 in pool play with a 10-3 win over the HYAA Hawks and a 22-6 win over the Cardinals and reached the finals against the Patriots. In the finals, the Patriots rolled over the Regulators 10-0 to take home the 10u title in Greensboro.
12u
The South Rowan Hammerheads dominated the Randolph Rattlers in two games, 14-0 and 15-1, to go 2-0 on Saturday.
Snow Hill
9u
#20 GBI Express went 2-o this past weekend in Snow Hill with a 4-2 win over Smash Baseball, and a 16-1 win over Bomberz Baseball. The Wilson Reds also went 2-0 this past weekend with a 10-3 win over Cape Fear Elite EPJ and a 17-2 win over Wayne County Arsenal – Futures. Smash Baseball continues to be off to a bit of a slow start this spring, going 1-1 this weekend, with a 6-0 win over Eastern Impact in addition to their loss to GBI.
10u
PC Dynamite impressed this past weekend, going 2-0 with a 16-1 win over the OC Sluggers and a 15-0 win over the New Bern Flames. Carolina Armor Blue also went 2-0 this weekend with a 9-4 win over 9u #2 Dirtbags Black and a 5-4 win over Bomb Squad. The Dirtbags finished 1-1 with a 10-4 win over 9u PITT413 in addition to their loss to the Armor.
11u
The Carolina Rage finished 2-0 this weekend scoring a 15-0 win over Cleveland Wildcats Blue and a 7-2 win over CB Chaos. The Carolina Wood Ducks also went 2-0 with a 12-8 win over the Carolina Braves and a 11-8 win over the Burgaw Nationals.
12u
The Burgaw Nationals went 2-0 in Snow Hill this weekend, notching a 5-4 win over Zone Select – Wilson and a 8-6 win over the HYAA Hawks. The Pitt County Diamond Dawgs also went 2-0 with a 6-2 win over the RBI Raptors and a 5-2 win over the Youngsville Punishers.
Wake County
8u
#2 Carolina Threshers look like they’ll continue to be a force in the 8u age group this spring as they went 2-0 this past weekend with a 12-8 win over the NCDB Rivercats and a 21-8 win over the Youngsville Phantoms. The Phantoms went 1-1 this weekend with a 22-14 win over the Rivercats in addition to their loss to the Threshers. North Wake FUNGO also went 2-0 this weekend with a 15-12 win over the JoCo Spartans and a 10-3 win over the Rocky Mount Marshals.
10u
At one point in the fall we thought 10u #1 Canes NC – Gilchrist was the most dominant team of any age group. They suffered a couple of losses towards the end of season which might have suggested otherwise, however this past weekend they showed why they should be in the discussion as one of the best teams in the state, regardless of age group. They started their weekend with a 28-0 win over the South Wake Storm and followed that up with a 13-0 win over the Walk Off Academy Warriors. They finished off their Saturday with a 16-1 no-hit win over the South Wake Storm. In total, across three games, the Canes outscored opponents a combined 57-1.
11u
#9 Cleveland Wildcats Elite were as impressive as ever, going 2-0 this weekend with a 15-0 win over Triangle Sports Hawks and a 21-4 win over the Carolina Pirates. South Johnston also went 2-0 this weekend, with a 10-0 win over the HYAA Hawks and a 14-10 win over the Carolina Pirates.
12u
The Carolina Freedom went 2-0 this weekend with a 5-2 win over the Orange County Crushers and a 24-2 win over Zone Select – Firebaugh. Rawlings Prospects NC was the only other team in the 12u age group to go 2-0 this weekend, scoring a 12-1 win over the Cary Wildcats and a 6-1 win over the Durham Blues.
13u
13u #20 Walk Off Warriors went 2-0 this weekend including a 6-2 win over Five Star Wildcats and a 10-0 win over 12u #17 Carolina Thunder. The Thunder finished 1-1, playing up an age group, with a 6-2 win over the Riptide, in addition to their loss to the Walk Off Warriors. 12u #3 Legends Baseball continued to impress this spring, going 2-0 playing up in the 13u division with a 14-3 win over Five Star Wildcats and a 10-2 win over the North Wake Thunder.
Charleston SC
10u
#18 Belmont Bandits opened up the Shipyard facility on Saturday in impressive fashion, notching a 2-1 win over an excellent East Coast Snipers (SC) team as well as a 9-7 win over another excellent SC Jets team. On Sunday, the Bandits played up in the 11u age group and weren’t as fortunate, suffering a 7-1 loss to the Beaufort County Bombers and an 11-3 loss to the Junior Riverdogs.
12u
The Carolina Sluggers went 1-1 on Saturday with a 6-4 loss to the Junior River Dogs (SC) and a 5-4 win over the Bulls Bay Bandits (SC). The Corinth Pirates went 0-2 on Saturday with a 12-5 loss to Dungeon Dogs Baseball and a 4-3 loss to Seawolves.