CARY, NC – The 11U/13U National Team Identification Series (NTIS) Champions Cup continued with day two, with both the 11U and 13U games at Thomas Brooks Park and the National Training Complex filled with great offensive moments and strong pitching.

Lots of attack power in the battle between Northeast Stars and Southeast Stripes

Both teams were relentless on offense and the Northeast Stars cruised to an 18-11 victory over the Southeast Stripes. After the Stripes took an early 1-0 lead in the first inning, Northeast responded with a five-run inning in the bottom of the inning – capped by a two-run triple to left center by Joshua Morgan – to take control of the game. Southeast scored once in the second inning and got back within three before an RBI groundout by Northeast’s Antonio Dixon tied the game at 6-2 in the second inning. Craig Sleap then scored on a double steal and an error to give the Stars a 7-3 lead and AJ Elliott added a two-run double to make it 10-3. Southeast responded with a five-run inning in the fourth to get back within three thanks to RBI singles from Kade Nichols and Braxton Fisher, but Northeast regained control in the fifth with a two-run double from NE 5 to ultimately secure the 18-11 victory.

SOUTHWEST STARS SCORES EARLY AND OFTEN IN 12-5 WIN

The Southwest Stars scored 10 runs in the first two innings to defeat the Southeast Stars 12-5. The scoring began early when Carter Barrett hit a curious two-run infield single in the first inning. The ball flew into foul territory but then took a late turn and snuck into first base for two runs. Chase Meyer followed with an RBI single to make it 5-0 and Leo Reyes added an RBI knock of his own to give Southwest a seven-run lead. The offense continued in the second inning when Meyer added another RBI single; another run later crossed home to make it 10 in the first two innings. Southeast was able to get its offense going late, scoring five runs, but Southwest held on and won 12-5.

SOUTH STRIPES BEAT MIDWEST STRIPES 7-3

After breaking the scoreboard early with four quick runs, the South Stripes held off a comeback by the Midwest Stripes and later pulled out a 7-3 victory. With a 4-3 lead, the South Stripes scored two more runs in the third inning to take a 6-3 lead. The Midwests then threatened to tie the game in the third inning by bringing the tying run to the plate, but Alexander Benjamin came out unscathed and defended the three-run lead. Zaydyn Collingsworth then added another extra run in the sixth inning and Brayden Jacques got the final outs to complete the 7-3 victory.

SOUTH STARS SCORES SIX RUNS OVER THE SOUTHWEST STRIPES

The South Stars got off to a flying start with a six-run first inning, beating the Southwest Stripes 15-5. An RBI single by Radner Roth opened the scoring, followed shortly by an RBI single by Noah King, making it 2-0. Brayden Irvin scored two runs on a sacrifice fly and Jackson Eavey capped the six-run first with an RBI triple, putting the Stars in good position early on. The Stripes cut their deficit in half in the second inning with an RBI groundout by Jackson Menichi and an error that brought in two more runs to make it 6-3. In the fourth inning, Southwest’s deficit was reduced to just two runs by a wild pitch. The South Stars extended their lead in the sixth inning by scoring on two wild pitches and a throwing error, and King and Austin Pederson each hit RBI singles to give South a 15-5 win.

MIDWEST STARS KILL NORTHWEST STARS

Davis Romejko and Brandon Orlow combined to pitch a shutout against the Northwest Stars, winning 4-0. For the first six innings, the game was a pitcher’s duel, with Romejko and Cortez Barrera throwing zeroes to each other. In the sixth inning, the Midwest finally got going; Kaden Mustille and Cameron Banks both got into scoring position and scored on a ground ball that turned out to be a throwing error, giving the Midwest a two-point lead. The team scored two more runs, and Orlow sealed the 4-0 victory.

NORTHWEST STRIPES GO ON OFFENSE TO BEAT NORTHEAST STRIPES

The Northwest Stripes came out on fire, scoring an 11-4 victory over the Northeast Stripes. Northwest took the lead in the third and extended it with an RBI single by Jackson Painter, giving Northwest a 4-1 lead. The team’s lead became 5-1 when Jarek Criscuolo crossed home plate on a double steal; Northwest then took a 7-1 lead on an RBI single by Justin Collins. In the fourth, Jackson Wrisley scored a run with an RBI groundout, followed by Zechariah Kim coming home on a wild pitch. Northwest stepped up late and secured the 11-4 victory.

ROUNDTREE MAKES A THREE-STRIKE DAY

Deeyon Roundtree had three hits to help the Southeast Stars to a 12-7 victory over the Northwest Stars. Roundtree’s day included an RBI double and two base hits.

NORTHEAST STARS ACHIEVE WALK-OFF WIN AGAINST SOUTHEAST STRIPES

The Northeast Stars improved their record to 2-0 in group play on Friday thanks to a 7-6 walk-off victory over the Southeast Stripes. After trailing 5-0 early, Jalen Henry used an inside-the-park solo home run to spark the Northeast Stars’ eventual comeback victory, which came on a wild pitch with the bases loaded.

LASHLEE THROWS SIX STRONG INNINGS IN SOUTHWEST STRIPES WIN

Starting pitcher Cody Lashlee threw six strong innings to help the Southwest Stripes to a 4-2 victory over the South Stripes and a 2-0 lead in group play. Lashlee threw 99 pitches and allowed two earned runs while striking out nine batters.

SOUTHWEST STARS USE SEVEN RUNS IN THE SECOND RUN TO WIN OVER SOUTH STARS

The Southwest Stars took advantage of a seven-run second inning, highlighted by Jackson McAneeley’s bases-clearing triple, to earn a 9-7 victory over the South Stars. It was the team’s first win of the week after a first-round tie.