Sixers win 18U championship at summer classic

MOSES LAKE — The Central Washington Sixers (8-7) took care of business last weekend as they went undefeated in the Big Bend Summer Classic. Sixers owner Ryan Doumit said he was proud of what he saw out of the team last weekend.

“The bats really came alive,” Doumit said. “I thought that, for the most part, the defense was outstanding and the pitching was solid.  That’s usually what wins games, especially in a tournament-type setting. When you’re playing against good teams, it usually comes down to pitching a defense with some timely hitting.”

Friday was their most productive day offensively. In game one, they played the NW Blaze 18U team. The Six were able to jump out to a large lead in the top of the third inning with six runs. They led 7-1 heading into the fifth inning. In the top of the inning, they strung together five more runs and threw out the Blaze in the bottom of the fifth to secure the win.

CNTR 1 0 6 0 5  12

NWBL 0 1 0 0 0   1

In the second game, they would play the Washington A’s 18U team. The Sixers opened the game with six runs in the top of the first inning. The A’s responded with three runs in the bottom of the first inning.

However, the Sixers were able to build on their lead throughout the rest of the game. In the third inning, they scored three runs and one in the fourth. However, their most explosive inning was at the top of the fifth with eight runs scored. They would secure their second win of the weekend with a final score of 18-4.

CNTR  6 0 3 1 8  18

WSHN 3 0 0 0 1   4

“They broke out in a big way. There was a lot of hits, a lot of doubles, a lot of barrels this weekend, which was fun to see,” Doumit said.

On Saturday, the Sixers would play one game against the Spokane Rawlings Tigers 18U team. The defense continued its dominance in this game, not allowing the Tigers to score a single run all day. The offense capitalized and scored seven total runs, most of which came in the bottom of the third inning with four runs. The Sixers won 7-0 and advanced to Sunday’s games.

SPKN 0 0 0 0 0 0   0

CNTR 1 0 4 0 1 1   7

They would open Sunday against the Tigers 17U team, where they continued their winning ways. The Sixers scored in each inning of this game. They opened with two runs in the first two innings. Their most productive inning was in the bottom of the fourth, where they scored four runs. Trey Tovar, Noah Echavarria and Jacoby Fullbright each stole a base and led their team to a 9-1 victory.

SPKN 1 0 0 0 0   1

CNTR 2 2 1 4 *   9

“Ryan Martinez, the catcher from behind, our catcher from Othello, was really good this weekend, blocking balls, throwing guys out,” Doumit said. “You’re not going to be a good team no matter what level you’re at if you’re not good up the middle.”

The Sixers would move on to the 18U Division Championship to play the Multi-Sport 360 18U team. There, the Sixers would face their most competitive game of the entire tournament.

They scored two runs in the bottom of the first but fell behind after Multi-Sport scored four runs in the top of the second inning. The defense responded by not allowing them to score another run the rest of the game while the Sixers' offense racked up six more runs to secure a 9-6 win and the 18U Division Championship.

After a successful weekend of baseball, Doumit is confident that this team to continue its winning ways the rest of the season.

“They’re right where we want them to be right now. Obviously, you want that trajectory to continue to climb, but from what we saw this last weekend, it gave us every indication that they will, and they’re playing well, and guys feel good about it,” Doumit said.

In their second year as a program, Doumit is pleased with the growth he has seen out of the 18U team and the other teams at the Six. He said everyone is bought into the vision of the program and shares the same goals. He said he wants athletes to be successful and reach the point where they can go play collegiate baseball one day.

“We’re trying to teach them how to play baseball the right way, how to conduct themselves, and carry themselves. Play with pride, play with passion, play with class,” Doumit said, “The kids are surrounded by the right people, with the right baseball minds and stuff and they’re learning and growing every day. So, it’s been fun to watch.”

    Sixers Eli Nash sprints to first base after hitting the ball to the outfield. Nash also led the pitching efforts in this game against the Washington A’s, striking out six batters.
  

    Sixers Jack Swedburg warms up to pitch in the Big Bend Classic. Swedburg recorded multiple RBIs throughout the weekend-long tournament.
  

    Sixers Trey Tovar takes a swing at home plate. Tovar had a stolen base against the Spokane Rawlings Tigers on Saturday.
  

    Sixers Jacoby Fulbright high-fives teammate Rodrigo Jay Garza after scoring a run against the Spokane Rawlings Tigers. Fulbright's run contributed to the 7-0 shutout victory on Saturday.
  

    Sixers Trey Tovar jogs to first base after being walked. This was one of two walks Tovar got against the Spokane Rawlings Tigers.