Pool game 1 vs Tri-County Red Devils. W, 13-0 in 3 1/2 innings. Playing in the Redbird Classic U10 event with the roster augmented with the four true 10 year olds from the Redbird U11 squad, the boys showed they weren’t just playing to fill a bracket. After a quiet first inning the boys batted around in both the 2nd and 3rd innings plating 13 runs to defeat the Red Devils going away. C.J. Downing (10 y/o) lead the offensive attack with three hits, a triple and two rbi. Drew Wescom (10 y/o) also knocked in three and scored twice. Brady, Jared Ringsdorf (10 y/o), Matt, and Terrill also scored twice each. On the mound, Jared and Matt combined on a two hit shutout, striking out five and walking one

Pool game 2 vs Quad City Networks. L, 13-10 in 5 innings. In the second game of the day the Redbird defense and pitching was a tad off and boys fell behind 12-3 after two innings. But displaying a never say die attitude, the boys plated two in the third on base hits by C.J. and Nathan Marks (10 y/o) and an rbi groundout from Brady. In the fourth they scored five runs to close the gap to 12-10. The comeback was started by with a one out walk to Terrill; followed by consecutive hits from Hayden and Aaron, a triple from Drew and an HR from C.J. to get the Redbirds back into the game. The pitching and defense tightened up, allowing the Networks only one run over the final three frames. But the comeback fell short and the boys fell to 1-1 after the first day of pool play.

Pool game 3 vs Barnstormer Bandits. W, 12-5 in 6 innings. Facing a must-win game to get into Championship play, the Redbirds jumped on the home team for four runs in the first highlighted by Nate’s two-run single. They continued to put pressure on the Bandits by plating five in the second. The rally was led by C.J.’s two-run single and Tyler’s two-run 2B. The boys plated another run in the fifth on a sacrifice bunt from Tyler to score Nate and added two in the sixth on a Bandit error and passed ball. On the mound, C.J., Jared, and Matt held the Bandits at bay. The trio gave up five hits, struck out nine and walked only one. With the hard fought victory the Redbirds were awarded the fourth seed for Championship play.

Tournament Semi-final Game vs VJG Longhorns (IL) L, 3-1 in 6 innings In an outstanding U10 baseball game the Redbirds and Longhorns battled to a scoreless tie through the first three innings of play. But in the fourth the boys plated the game’s first run on a bunt single from Brady, two stolen bases and an rbi single from Jared. However, the Longhorns came right back in their half of the fourth with two runs of their own to reclaim the lead. The boys couldn’t get anything going in the final two innings, going 6 up and 6 down against an excellent Longhorn squad.

Although first place wasn’t in the cards the boys showed they could play with anyone at the U10 level with a 3rd place finish. Great job!