By: Cody Smith
Top Tier Reporter
Week #3 in Top Tier Baseball
Top Tier Tournaments Recap: From 15u-17u.
15u Americans, Prospect Select Tournament of Champions
The 15u Americans had an impressive weekend in East Lansing, Michigan. The team finished pool play with a perfect 4-0 record giving them a bye in the first round of bracket play. In those four games, the team only allowed 8 runs against compared to 36 runs scored. In the quarterfinals however, they lost in a close one, losing 3-2 to 16u Demand Command Cardinals. Still, the team would not have been able to improve their overall record of 17-3 without the performance by Nathan Brinker. He was able to do it all this past weekend both on offense and defense. At the plate, Brinker went 4-11 (.364) with 5 RBI’s, 1 homerun, 6 runs scored, and a combined 7 walks and hit-by-pitches. On the mound he was even better, pitching six innings while only giving up three hits on two earned runs in a 3-2 win over the 16u Raiders.
15u Nationals, Midwest Classic Tournament
The 15u Nationals had a solid performance locally in Elgin, IL. The team started off pool play with a 2-0 record including wins over Mchenry Warriors and the Sluggers. Following their impressive start in pool play, the 15u Nationals were ranked the #2 seed before falling to Stiks Academy in the semi final game. Caleb Tharpe continued his excellence at the plate with yet another great performance. He went 6-9 (.666) with 3 RBI’s and 4 runs scored. This was the second week in a row Tharpe has helped push his team into making a playoff run.
15u Nationals-Navy, PG Super 25 Qualifier Tournament
The 15 Nationals-Navy went over to Ho-Chunk in Lynwood, IL with some of the other featured 15u teams. The team didn’t get off to a hot start due to the weather. Their Friday game got canceled causing them to play only three games on the weekend. The team went 0-3 with a close loss to the 29ers losing, 8-5 late in the game. Third basemen, Frank Magnelli had a nice weekend going 3-5 (.600) with a walk and a run scored.
15u North, PG Super 25 Qualifier Tournament
The 15u North team joined the 15u Nationals-Navy in Ho-Chunk this past weekend. Finishing 2-1, the team barely missed making it out of pool play. They missed the playoffs due to the tie-breaker rules, missing out by one run. One player that impressed coach Duffy was Charlie Brodell. The right-handed pitcher had a walk-off double to give the North a win over the STEM Pirates. Will Solis had a great weekend on the bump, pitching two scoreless innings in relief.
15u Nationals-White, PG Super 25 Qualifier Tournament
The 15u Nationals-White was the final Top Tier team to go to Lynwood, IL this past weekend. The squad finished 1-2 during pool play, which eliminated them from possible bracket play. They had an impressive win over the Illinois Crush, beating them 10-5. Although they didn’t get the trophy, one player was able to turn a lot of heads in the Top Tier organization. Kra Player of the Week, Evan Chatterjee had a productive weekend, going 3-7 (.430) with 5 RBI’s including a three-run bomb against the 29ers.
16u Americans, Amateur Baseball Championship Tournament
The 16u Americans looked to get back to crushing their opponents, similarly to how they got the season started when they won ten-straight. Going back to Westfield, Indiana for the second weekend in a row the team wanted to show a better performance. The Americans went 2-0-1 in pool play which gave them a ticket to compete in the gold bracket. In the gold pool play round they went 1-1, before finishing the weekend with a victory in their final consolation game on Sunday to bring their weekend record to 4-1-1. Chris Seropian continued his season of brilliance on the mound this summer, making one relief appearance and one start over the week. He was awarded a win and a hold in those appearances and did not walk a single batter. At the plate Dylan Whitney continued to showcase a consistent plate approach and knack for coming through in the clutch.
16u Nationals, Amateur Baseball Championship Tournament
The 16u Nationals looked to have a bounce back weekend coming off a tough one just two weeks ago. Playing in Westfield, Indiana the team did just that. They finished the weekend 4-2-1 while being able to grab the #1 seed in the silver bracket. Although, they did end up falling to the Illinois Indians in the semi final game. Still, their pitching staff had an incredible weekend. Pitchers Billy Le Pretre, Tommy Shaw, Alex James, and Patrick Quirk combined for 40 strikeouts over 21 innings while only surrendering a total of 8 runs. No doubt if their pitching can keep up the excellent work, the team will be back competing in the gold bracket.
16u Nationals-Navy, Amateur Baseball Championship Tournament
The 16u Nationals-Navy went with the the other two 16u teams to Westfield, Indiana in hopes to build off the momentum they gained the previous weekend. Finishing at 2-4, the team started off 1-2 before going into silver bracket pool play where they split their two games, winning one against Little Caesars and losing the other. Even without coming home as silver bracket champions, coach Bunnell was impressed with his pitching staff, specifically, Luis Salinas and Zach Starr. Salinas pitched a six inning complete game in a 7-2 victory over Little Caesars. He only allowed 3 hits and 2 runs while also recording a strikeout. For Starr, he too pitched a complete game over the Chicago White Sox Ace, winning 9-1. He only gave up three hits while striking out three and giving up zero earned runs.
17u Americans, Music City Classic
In a showcase event, the 17u Americans had an up and down weekend finishing 2-2-1. Playing in Nashville, Tennessee the team rallied after dropping their first game to the St. Louis Pirates. Pitcher Mike Gurka got the save after throwing a scoreless inning in Game 2 against the Sticks Baseball Academy to give Top Tier a 4-3 victory. The team finished the weekend strong, coming back to win their last game against the Minnesota Blizzard, 7-0. Khyle Radcliffe had a bounce back weekend at the plate, going 7-14 (.500) with three doubles and six RBI’s over five games played.
17u Nationals, Music City Classic
The 17u Nationals followed the Americans to Tennessee to play some of the best competition in the Midwest. The team dropped their first three games in some close loses before rallying back to win their last two games of the showcase event. In their last two games, they won both by one run, beating the Midwest Marlins, 14-13. Then, in their last game of the weekend, trailing 4-1 in the 7thinning, the Nationals came back to beat the Indiana Bulls-White, 5-4. Their weekend would not have been able to be turned around if it wasn’t for Jac Lindish performance at the plate. He went 7-12 (.583) including a double with 5 RBI’s 4 runs scored and 2 stolen bases.
17u Nationals-Navy, Mid South Tournament of Champions
The 17u Nationals-Navy were the only Top Tier team to travel to Louisville, Kentucky this past weekend. The team wasn’t able to make it out of pool play however as they dropped their final three games after winning their first against the Ohio Punishers, 8-3. Although the team only went 1-3, coach Heaney was still impressed with the way Caleb Anderson swung the bat. He finished the weekend going 4-9 (.444) with 3 RBI’s and 2 runs scored.