Sixers 14U go undefeated in Saturday games

MOSES LAKE – The Washington Sixers 14U team went undefeated last weekend as they were victorious over TC Bashers and LC Closers. According to head coach Rey Lopez, pitching led the way for the Sixers.  

“You know, we can't control what they do out there. Our pitchers have to pitch the ball well, in a good location, or just have to go out there and put the ball in play,” Lopez said.  

Game One: 

In the first game against the Bashers, it was a defensive battle as both teams went scoreless through the first four innings of the game. In the bottom of the fifth, the Sixers would get on the board first with one run. After going scoreless again in the sixth, it came down to the seventh and final inning.  

The Bashers would score one run in the top of the inning and tie the game before being thrown out. This put the Sixers in a position to take the game for themselves in the bottom of the inning. That is exactly what they did as they would score one more run, which led them to a 2-1 victory.  

Pitcher and shortstop Carson Valdez said his team stepped up when it mattered the most.  

“I feel like we stuck through it the whole game, and we battled. We started hitting the ball when it mattered, and then I came in, and then I shut them down,” he said.

Game Two:  

The follow-up game against the Closers, the Sixers would again face another defensive battle. After the first inning, they found themselves down 2-1 and in need of a spark. Early on in the game, the wind was playing a factor in finding hits.  

“We talked about the wind; we hit the ball up in the air and the wind was kind of killing it. So, we're talking about hitting the top of the baseball, and just hitting line drives and just putting the ball in the play. The pressure has got to be on them when we're at the plate,” Lopez said.  

After holding the Closers scoreless in the top of the second inning, the Sixers offense rallied and erupted for five runs in the bottom of the inning. Heading into the third, they led 6-2.  

As the game progressed, the Closers would chip away at a comeback, but the pitching by the Sixers hindered any momentum they tried to gain. In the top of the third, the Closers would only score one run, and in the fourth managed to score two and cut the deficit to one point.  

In the top of the sixth inning, the Sixers led 6-5 and needed a stop. Valdez came into the game and led a strong pitching effort with two strikeouts and not allowing any hits. After three outs, the time limit on the game ran out, and the Sixers secured the win with a final score of 6-5.  

Valdez had high praise for his teammates after the game.  

“We hit the ball pretty well, and then pitchers always do a phenomenal job in the game,” he said.  

With these two victories, the Sixers are now 15-10-1. As they look ahead to the rest of the summer, Lopez said he and the team are not necessarily focused on who they play next, just that they are prepared for whoever it is.  

“We prepare ourselves. It doesn't matter who we're playing up against. Whoever's on the field, the opponent, we can't control what the other team does if they put the ball in play, then we've got to defend it,” he said.  

Box Scores:  

Game 1: 

TCBS: 0 0 0 0 0 0 1  1
SXRS: 0 0 0 0 1 0 1  2 

Game 2: 

LCCL: 2 0 1 2 0 0  5
SXRS: 1 5 0 0 0 *  6 

    The Sixers huddle up before their game against the LC Closers. They were victorious after stopping a comeback attempt and winning 6-5.
  

    Sixers Drake Hansen fields a line drive and sets up to return to the pitcher in their game against the LC Closers. Hansen recorded an RBI for the Sixers.
  

    Sixers first baseman Eddie Gonzalez catches a pass from pitcher Beau Fricke to knock an LC Closer batter out. Gonzalez also contributed to the pitching efforts by striking out one batter.
  

    Sixers Drake Hansen steps up to bat for the Sixers offense. Hansen would be walked and get on first base.
  

    Sixers Joaquin Hernandez sprints to first base after hitting a line drive. Head coach Rey Lopez emphasized the importance of putting the ball in play in order to secure the win against the LC Closers.