U10 Travel: White Beats the Heat (and Manchester Gold), 5-3

Overcoming scorching 97 degree heat, and a quick start by a strong Manchester team, Travel White came back to beat the visiting Manchester Gold 5-3 on Monday. Manchester opened with 2 in the top of the 1st, capitalizing on an error and timely hitting, to push 2 across the plate against starting pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez (2 IP, 1 ER, 5Ks). But Eduardo shut down the Gold in 2nd, striking out 3 and stranding 2. Although the Gold were able to extend their lead to 3 in the 3rd, converting a leadoff walk into 1 run against battery of Hunter Polce (1 IP, 1 ER, 2Ks) and Jack Brennan, that was all the Gold could cash in on.

In the bottom of the 3rd, breaking a streak in which Manchester had quietly retired the first 8 batters, Noah Fox sparked a 2-out rally, drawing a walk, stealing second and moving to third on a passed ball. Bobby Gerity also walked and continued to second on heads up base running. Hunter then slashed a single to right, scoring Fox. Bobby came home when the Gold tried unsuccessfully to catch Hunter stealing second.

Down just 1, John Scrimgeour (1 IP, 1K) pitched a scoreless 4th, helped by a unassisted out at first by Dominic Fuentes, and converting a come-backer to the mound to an out. The White then took the lead for good when Mac Reynolds and Mateo Webster-Ramirez opened the bottom of the 4th with back-to-back doubles, followed by an RBI single by Cory Wolski, an RBI by Jack Conran, and consecutive singles by Eduardo and John. The White threatened again in the 5th when, with one out, Bobby walked (again also taking second, grinning all the way), and consecutive walks to Hunter and Kory Powell followed to load the bases. But a ricochet back to the plate helped Manchester catch Bobby at the plate and a hit back to the pitcher ended the scoreless inning.

Mac (2 IP, 3Ks) closed out the win, retiring in order the 6 Manchester batters he faced, the last 2 on Ks. Supporting Mac defensively were Noah, who started a terrific 5-3 out, Cory at first, who made 2 scoops and an unassisted out at first over the last 2 innings, and Jake, who finished 3 drenching innings behind the plate. Travel White hopes to take the Gold one more time when they play on July 16th at UConn.