Extreme 11u Nichols

EXTREME GOES OUT ON TOP,
WINS SWIBL 11U CHAMPIONSHIP

What a day! After finishing 2-0 in pool play, the boys were matched up against the #1 seed coming into the tournament, Illinois Tigers. The boys struck first puttihg up two runs in the 1st followed up by another run in the 2nd. The boys played small ball to get the early lead as a mix of walks, sacrifices and hits led to three early runs.

Jaxon started the game on the mound for Extreme. Jaxon made quick work of the Tigers early, facing only 7 batters through the first two innings. He finished with 3 Ks while only surrendering 3 hits. Mason took over with two outs in the fifth getting the remaining four outs to close things out for the win.

In the championship, the boys were squared up against Troy Thunder. After coming off such an exciting game, it took the boys until the 2nd inning to get things going, but once they did, they never looked back.

The scoring started in the 2nd and didn't stop all game. The boys took advantage of two errors and four walks to go along with 10 hits to score 9 runs. Mason led the way with 2 RBIs while EK and Carter scored 2 runs each.

Preston got the nod to start on the bump for the Championship game. After giving up one in the first, Preston found his groove, striking out 5 during his 3 innings of work. Carter was called upon to take over in the fourth. After a quick fourth, he ran into a little bit of trouble in the 5th, allowing 2 runs to cross the plate. He was able to settle back down and get a 1-2-3 inning to shut things down and help clinch the championship!

As coach said, each of the boys could have received game balls based on their play this past week, but these two really stood out.

Built Ford Tough Play of the Tournament - Actually, PLAYS of the Tournament! Harrison defense at 2B and SS was outstanding. He made tough plays look easy with his slick fielding. Multiple times he was steady and sure-handed but nothing compares to his Web Gem! Harrison made a crucial jumping/falling down catch on a line drive that ended the opponent's rally.

Built Ford Tough Performance of the Tournament - Carter's pitching performance this week was gritty and clutch. In the first game of the playoffs, he threw a complete game, including an Immaculate Inning. Then he was called upon to finish things off and pitch the last three innings of the championship game.

The boys continued their playoff push last night as they hosted Holiday Shores in pool play action. Having won their first pool play game, the boys were determined to get the victory tonight to lock up their spot in bracket play.

Nash started on the bump for Extreme, pitching 3 solid innings. After pitching around a couple jams, Nash finished with 2 Ks, while onky surrendering 1 ER. Mason came in for the 4th inning and shut things down, as the Tigers only managed one more baserunner. Nash and Mason were backed up by some great defense, as the boys made multiple great plays, including turning a 1-4-3 double play.

The bats were alive again last night as the boys got things going early, scoring 4 runs in the 1st inning. The bats stayed hot as Extreme scored runs in each inning.

3 was a lucky number for Nash last night. Along with pitching 3 solid innings, he also drew 3 BBs and scored 3 runs. Preston got the scoring going last night with a 2 RBI double and finished 3-3 with 3 RBIs.

Built Ford Tough Play of the Game - Not to be outdone by the double play, Harry made a leaping, falling over catch to stop a rally by the Tigers.

Built Ford Tough Performance of the Game - The whole team put forth a heck of an effort. Contributions up and down the lineup both on the field and in the batter's box.

SWIBL playoffs kicked off this week as the boys opened up pool play action against the Mallards on Monday. Having split the season series with them, the boys knew it was going to be a tough battle.

Looking to set the tone, the boys jumped on Mallards pitching early, scoring 4 runs in the 1st inning, sending all 9 boys to the plate. They didn't slow down in the 2nd, as the boys battled around again, scoring 6 runs to take a 10-0 lead.

Preston and EK both went 3-4 in the game, contributing 6 RBIs between them. Carter and Mason also had multiple hits as the boys racked up 13 hits and 13 SBs in the game.

Hitting wasn't the only story of the game as the team got a clutch performance from Carter. Motivated to match the offense, Carter shut down the Mallards, including throwing an Immaculate Inning in the 2nd. Even though the Mallards managed to push a couple runs across in the 4th, Carter closed it out in the 5th, pitching a complete game with 6 Ks.

Built Ford Tough Performance of the Game -

Offense - EK going 3-4 with 4 RBIs and 2 SBs
Defense - P/C tandem of Carter and Preston 6 Ks, 71 % strike rate, no wild pitches or passed balls.

Built Ford Tough Play of the Game - Carter with an Immaculate Inning in the 2nd, striking out the side on 9 pitches.

The boys welcomed Holiday Shores to the Sports Park last night for league play. Despite a late game rally by the Tigers, Extreme held on for the 6-5 win.

Harry started on the bump for Extreme and pitched a gem. Pitching the first 3 innings, Harry didn't allow a hit while striking out 4. After a relief inning from Mason and Preston, Nash closed things out in the 6th.

Extreme jumped out to a 3-0 lead in thebfkrst inning. A single by Jaxon, an error and a double by Carter provided the spark to take the early lead.

The boys added another run in the 2nd and 2 more in the 4th to pad their lead enough to hold off a late rally by the Tigers in the 5th. Along with Nash closing things down in the 6th, there was some great defense by Paxton at 3B and Harry at 2B.

Built Ford Tough Performance of the Game - Harry with 3 IPs, 4 Ks and 0 hits allowed.

Built Ford Tough Play of the Game - Paxton and Harry with the slick defense in the 6th inning to secure the victory.

Last night, the boys headed to Edwardsville to battle Rascals. After an early three run deficit, the boys battled back in a big way, walking out with a 19-3 victory!

Unable to push any rums across in the first inning, the bats got going in the 2nd as they scratched out 2 runs. Things really got going in the 3rd, as the boys battled around, scoring 8 runs in the process.

Even though they only scored 2 runs in the 4th inning, it might have been the most exciting 2 runs. Jaxon and Preston hit back-to-back home runs to pish the lead to 12-3. The 5th inning brought 7 more runs as the hitting continued.

Along with the back-to-back jacks, Harry added a double and triple, LT had a triple and there were doubles from Preston, Carter, Eli and Jaxon. The boys had 12 hits and 9 walks for the game.

If being hot at the plate wasn't enough, Jaxon also pitched 3.2 scoreless innings with 3 Ks, allowing only 2 hits.

Built Ford Tough Play of the Game - Back-to-back Home Runs by Jaxon and Preston

Built Ford Tough Performance of the Game - Jaxon going 3-3 with 3 RBIs and 3 runs with a HR and double while also pitching 3.2 innings with 3 Ks.

This past Tuesday, the boys headed to Troy to take on Midwest Rage. They set the tone early, scoring early and often, as the bats stayed hot on their way way to a 16-4 win.

Harry started on the bump for Extreme and pitched 4 solid innings striking out 3 along the way while only surrendering 1 walk. Jaxon shut things down in the 5th with 1 strikeout.

The bats were on fire as Mason, Jaxon, Preston, Carter and LT each had 2 hits. Jaxon, Preston and Carter each provided 3 RBIs. Carter and Ford each added 3 SBs.

Offense wasn't the only thing on display this evening and there were some nice defensive plays. In the bottom of the 2nd eith the Rage threatening, Carter made a diving catch in right-centerfield to hold the runner at second base. Then in the 3rd, Carter made a sliding catch in left-center to end the inning.

Built Ford Tough Play of the Game - Not one, but two great catches in CF by Carter

Built Ford Tough Performance of the Game - Carter getting things done with the bat and glove tonight. 2-3 with 3 RBIs and 3 SBs along with two great catches in CF

This past weekend, the boys traveled to Fenton for a Gametime tournament. With back-to-back games slated for Saturday morning, it was important to get out to a good start and get some momentum for the day.

While the 1st was quiet against MaxRep Bats, things kicked into overdrive as the boys piled up 18 runs over the next three innings on their way to an 18-1 victory.

Plenty of hitting up and down the lineup as Preston went 2-2 with 3 runs scored, Carter went 2-3 with a double and a triple with 3 RBIs and 3 runs scored and Jaxon went 3-3 with a triple, 4 RBIs and 3 runs scored.

While the hitting was impressive, the pitching was that much better! Asked to take the mound on short notice, Paxton went out and pitched 4 innings, allowing 0 ERs and only 2 hits while striking out five. He helped his on cause out, going 1-2 with a BB, with 2 RBIs and 2 runs scored.

The bats stayed hot going into the 2nd game as the boys put up 2 runs in the top of the 1st against the StL Bears. Scoring in every inning, Extreme pulled away and won 7-3.

Unfortunately, they couldn't carry this momentum into bracket play as we were rained out on Sunday. It was still a great effort going into a StL tournament, not knowing anything about the teams and emerging 2-0.

Built Ford Tough Performance of the Game - Paxton pitching a complete game, allowing only 2 hits while striking out 5 and contributing at the plate with 2 RBIs and 2 runs scored.

Built Ford Tough Play of the Game - Genuine team effort on Saturday with contributions up and down the lineup. Pitching, Hitting and Defense were all solid.

Last week, the boys hosted Troy Thunder, looking to extend their winning streak to 3 games. After a rough first inning, the boys came alive and didn't look back!

Despite being in an early 2-0 deficit, the boys got some feet pitching to shut things down as our bats got to work. They would grab the lead in the bottom of the second and never let up on their way to a 7-3 victory.

Pitching was the key for Extreme this game, as Nash, Jaxon, Mason and Carter combined for 6 Ks, while only allowing 2 ER and 2 BBs.

Built Ford Tough Play of the Game - Unassisted Double Play by Mason to dash any hopes thenThunder had to get something going

Built Ford Tough Performance of the Game - Pitching Staff for their shut down performance

Last week, the boys welcomed the Roughnecks to town as league play continued. Despite getting off to a rough start, the boys piled on the runs and pulled away with a 15-6 victory.

After spotting the visitors 5 runs in the top of the 1st, the boys answered back with 4 runs in the bottom of the inning. From there, they Necks' bats stayed mostly quiet as the boys only let up one more run the rest of the game.

Despite finding themselves in an early deficit, the boys chipped away at the lead until the third when they gained a one run advantage. Once the bottom of the 4th rolled around, it was all but sealed as the boys piled on 8 more runs.

EK started on the bump for the boys and worked around some early errors with 2 solid innings of work. Carter came in to shut things down with 4 Ks over 3 IPs.

There was plenty of hitting, as Preston and Harry both went 3-3 at the plate while Carter went 2-3. In total, the team had 13 hits on the night, striking out only twice.

Built Ford Tough Play of the Game - Offense in the bottom of the 4th inning scoring 8 runs to pit things away

Built Ford Tough Performance of the Game - Carter getting things done at the plate and on the mound. 2-3 with 2 RBIs, 2 runs, 2 SBs & 3 IPs, 4 Ks allowing only 1 hit and 1 run