The Austin Slam needed all seven innings to beat the St. Louis Eagles 8-6 in Capitol Classic non-division play on Wednesday at Carson High, but game MVP Phillip Moss said it shouldn't have taken that long.
"I felt that we should've beaten that team in five," said a confident Moss, who went 2-for-3 while picking up 2 RBIs.
Moss was also named MVP in his team's 7-4 win Monday over the Carmel Bulls after hitting a two-run double that gave his team the lead.
The Slam (2-1) scored three runs in the first and four in the second to jump out to an early 7-2 lead. But the Eagles (0-3) battled back after scoring a run in the fourth, two in the fifth, and another in the sixth to make the score 7-6.
Then Landon Kelso hit a solo homer with some help from the wind in the sixth to put the Slam up 8-6. Dustin Wernecke shut down the Eagles in the sixth and seventh to ensure the victory.
"I don't think we played that well," Slam coach Tom Boggs said. "We didn't swing the bats that well, but we're still in pretty good shape."
The Slam is in second place in the Gray division behind unbeaten Santa Rosa and Parma, which play each other Friday. The Slam will face Cherry Creek Friday at 2 p.m. to try and stay in the championship hunt. The Eagles play the Ogden Outlaws Friday at 1 p.m.
Cherry Creek 17, Ogden 6
Cherry Creek (1-2) picked up its first win of the tournament after beating the Outlaws (0-3) in five innings.
Game MVP Nick Rudden led the way for Cherry Creek after hitting 3-for-4, including a triple and four RBIs. Cherry Creek recorded 18 hits off four different Outlaw pitchers, including homers by Tim Miller and Joe Andrews.
The Outlaws will square off against the St. Louis Eagles Friday at 1 p.m., while Cherry Creek plays the Austin Slam at 2 p.m.
Danville 7, Carmel 6
After winning 15-2 Tuesday over the Ogden Outlaws, the Hoots (3-0) eked out a win over the Bulls (3-0) to stay unbeaten in the Red Division.
With the Bulls up 5-1, game MVP Dane Dobrinich knocked in the game tying and winning runs in the sixth, then came in to pick up the save in the seventh for the Hoots.
The Hoots take on the Carson Capitols at 8 p.m. Friday. The Bulls will face the Boise Gems Friday at 6 p.m.
Parma 12, Woodward 2
Parma (3-0) used a four-run first and a six-run third to run away from the Travelers (2-1) in five innings.
The win ties Parma with Santa Rosa for first place in the Gray Division, while the Travelers drop to second place in the Red Division.
Steve Conter was named the game's MVP after he belted a grand slam home run in the third. Josh Gaub, Chard Frk, and Greg Wisniewski also chipped in with two RBIs a piece.
Parma clashes with Santa Rosa in a game of two unbeaten teams Friday at 11 a.m., with the winner getting sole possession of first place in the Gray Division. Woodward plays Honolulu at 10 a.m. that day.
Santa Rosa 17, Honolulu 1
Santa Rosa (3-0) scored six runs in the first and eight in the sixth to run away early with a lopsided victory over Honolulu (0-3).
Pitcher Keith Breining picked up the win for Santa Rosa and the game's MVP award after pitching six solid innings, giving up one run the sixth.
Jared Wilburn went 3-for-4 with 4 RBIs and Matt Raichart 3-for-4 with a triple and 2 RBIs. Eight different Santa Rosa players recorded hits against four Honolulu pitchers.
Santa Rosa plays Parma on Friday at 11 a.m., and the All Hawaii Select team plays Woodward at 10 a.m.