The PTB 13u Generals recently traveled to Aberdeen to take part in the Ripken Around the Horn tournament. Facing a tough draw, the Generals dropped their first game to the Olney Pirates, 12-5. Needing to finish at least 2-1 in pool play to continue on to the four team knockout round, things weren’t looking so hot. The Generals were up to the challenge, however.
Archive for 13u Generals
Generals go 2-1 at Ripken
Generals win Columbus Day Weekend tournament
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It was a great end to a beautiful three-day weekend at the Sports at the Beach complex near Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, as the 13u Potomac Generals recorded three consecutive upset victories during Monday’s knockout round to claim the Columbus Day Classic championship. Cameron Stork, who pitched six tough innings for the championship game win, was named Tournament MVP.
For their victory, the Generals players (pictured, above) each received a red Under Armour baseball windshirt emblazoned with “Sports at the Beach Tournament Champion” on the chest.
On Saturday, the first day of pool play, the Generals defeated Jack Cust Diamond Jacks 13u Gold 5-3, but dropped their second game to the Vienna Bombers, 8-7. The game against the Bombers was particularly tough as the team battled back from a 7-1 deficit in the top of the 7th to tie the game at 7, only to lose on a squeeze play in the bottom on the inning.
On Sunday, the General got back on the winning track with a 10-1 win over Virginia Patriots 13u. In their final game of pool play, the Generals took a 1-0 lead over Summit Point into the 6th inning, only to lose 7-1.
With a 2-2 record, the Generals squeaked into the Monday round of six with just the fifth seed. In their first game against the 4th seeded Bombers, Tom Shue pitched 6 innings and struck out 12. The offense did their part, exploding for six straight singles in the four run second inning. Needing a few insurance runs, Isaac Peress KONGED a homerun to deep right center in the top of the 7th to seal the 10-3 win.
In the semifinals, Kaz Kishimoto toed the rubber and pitched brilliantly, allowing one earned run in a complete game 6-5 victory over NJ Super 13. The Generals battled back from a 5-2 deficit and saw the eventual winning run score via a balk by the Super 13 reliever.
In the championship game, the Generals came in as major underdogs to a Summit Point Prodigy team that had smacked them around in the latter innings of their game on Sunday. Fortunately, Coach Witchey had big game pitcher Cameron Stork still ready to roll. The offense was ready too, as seemingly everyone hit the ball as the Generals stormed out to a 6-0 lead after two. Summit Point wouldn’t die and put up three runs in the bottom of the 3rd. Faced with bases loaded and no one out, Stork calmly threw strikes and got his team out of the inning with minor damage.
The Generals kept hitting and by the top of the 7th scored their 10th run. With Super Closer Jake Abruzzi on in the bottom of the 7th, the Prodigy could only manage one more run before a ground out to short ended the championship game, 10-4.
This marked the first tournament win for the Generals after four tries over three seasons. The win was even more special because all 15 players contributed in meaningful ways. Aaron “Buck” Buchwald had five or six straight hits at one point. Alexander Owen played lights out defense at first base and leftfield. Casey Lauer hit three balls off the fence. Eli Galliano chased down everything in centerfield. Panos Lagos caught everything hit to him, as did Miles Bolin. Tristan Lee had a big double in the championship game. Joe Davis played a great third base and had several clutch at-bats. Eric Thronson also had a gaggle of big hits and played his usual top-shelf defense behind the plate – blocking lots of pitches and even throwing a runner out. The team’s leading hitter, Daniel Albrittain, gritted out the first two days of the tourney despite a nasty bug.
Congrats to the Potomac Generals!
Generals Finish 2nd at NOVA
The 13u Generals made a strong showing this weekend in Fredericksburg, finishing as runners-up at the USSSA NOVA Tourney. After a 13-3 win over the Stafford Generals and 3-0 win over the Stafford River Bandits, the Potomac Generals went into Sunday as the second overall seed.
In the semifinal game, Cameron Stork and Kaz Kishimoto combined to no-hit the 3rd seeded River Bandits in a hard-fought, 2-0 contest. Stork and Kishimoto allowed a total of two base runners en route to the first no-no of the Generals season.
In the championship game the Generals ran into the Richmond Braves, a team comprised of players from all over the state. The magic ran out, unfortunately, and the Generals finished 2nd at tourney for the 3rd time in the past year (Fallen Heroes Fall ’10 and Yorktown Spring ’11).
Overall it was a strong showing for the team and a great building block for these players in their development.
Drink Schedule
Thanks Sayaka!
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Generals start fast
With just a few weeks to become accustomed to the new basepaths (90 feet) and 60’6″ pitching distance, no one would have been upset if the Generals struggled out of the gate. To the surprise of many, however, the new-look Generals turned in strong performances over a three game stretch that saw them win by scores of 8-2, 6-5, and 13-2.
Over the three games, all fifteen players contributed, with newcomers like Jake Abruzzi (FCKL) contributing quality innings at pitcher and second base and Aaron Buchwald (MLL) swinging a big stick at the plate.
During their win over the 14u Chain Bridge Vikings, the Generals showed they could battle in close games. After putting up six runs in the bottom of the second, the team made key plays to hold off the more experienced Chain Bridge crew.
The Generals look to get better as they face a tough Prospects 14u squad this week before heading to compete in the Longhorn Stampede Tournament over the weekend.
Saturday Scrimmage
We have a scrimmage Saturday (tomorrow) beginning at 10:00am at Langley High School. Please at the field ready to warm-up at 9:00am.
We will wear gray pants and our navy blue underarmour t-shirt (no jersey), navy blue socks and our Generals hats. New players wear gray pants if you have them plain white if you don’t have gray. Your navy blue underarmour shirts , socks and hats will be at the field. Wear navy blue t-shirt and nb or black socks just in case there is some mix up.
For tomorrow we will bat the entire line-up and have unlimited substitution. Pitchers will pitch one inning. We should be done by 12 noon and then head over to the track for our conditioning test. Please bring running shoes to change into. You cannot wear cleats on the track.
I have Stork and Albrittain missing for the scrimmage. Please let me know asap if you will not be at the scrimmage.
See you Saturday.
Conditioning for 13u Generals
Players should be able to complete the following on the first day of practice on August 30th. The biggest difference between this season and last on the big diamond is we need to get bigger, faster, stronger. When we met two weeks ago Scott talked about throwing and pitching drills every players should be doing every other day minimum. These drills are band Drills, long toss, throw across diamond on a line. I hope everyone has been working on these items. If you have not it will be noticed the first week of practice and reflect on your playing time etc.. In addition to these throwing exercises we have asked every player to ready to complete the following on the first day of practice.
1. Run a mile in less than 8 minutes
2. 25 push-ups consecutively with good form.
3. 25 sit-ups consecutively with good form (hands across chest all the way up and down.
