By Joe Costine

11U Cleveland Wildcats Defeat NC Cleveland Indians for the ECAP Tournament Championship

The 11U Cleveland Wildcats baseball team got off to a terrific start in their first season winning the “ECAP Nations September Showdown” defeating the NC Cleveland Indians 5-4 in the championship game.

Under unusual circumstances, as a result of the rain caused by tropical storm Hannah, the Wildcats were forced to play four consecutive games in one day under very hot and humid conditions.   They were up to the challenge though, playing better with each game as the conditions got more difficult.   Their pitching depth was critical in allowing them to survive and thrive through four games.

The Indians jumped off to a 1-0 lead in the top of the 1^st inning.   With two outs, Luke Daniels got a base hit to get the Indians started.   Later in the inning, with the bases loaded, Daniels stole home on a perfectly timed play beating the tag at home plate.

The Wildcats would bounce back to get the run back in the bottom of the first.   Ryan Flores led off with a single and stole second base.   Flores advance to 3^rd on a single by Chris Strickland.   Flores tagged up and scored the tying run on a sacrifice fly by Dalton List.   Strickland was thrown out at 3^rd base when Indians starting pitcher Luke Daniels cut off the throw to home and caught Strickland playing aggressive baseball and trying to advance on the throw home.

Wildcats starting pitcher Patrick Schweitz continued to pitch well, not allowing a runner to reach base in the top of the second.

The Wildcats sent 8 batters to the plate and capitalized scoring 3 runs in the bottom of the second inning to take  a 4-1 lead.   Tanner Costine singled to right after Landry Moore drew a walk.   Another walk to John Simon set up a two RBI bases loaded single to right by Conor McGeough.   Strickland would later drive in McGeough for the third run of the inning on a bizarre fielder’s choice play with the bases loaded.   Wyatt Clarke was called out for interfering with SS  Avery Dean on the play as he tried to advance from 2^nd to 3^rd base when Dean tried to make the play on the runner at home plate. The Wildcat’s would load the bases again with two outs but were unable to do any more damage.

Schweitz, allowed a run in the 3^rd when Seth Knott led off with a single and later scored on a base hit by Trey Stogner.  

Chris Strickland replaced Schweitz for the 4^th and 5^th innings.    The Indians cut into the lead again in the 5^th with a run to make the score 4-3.

Dalton Mundy started the 6^th inning for the Wildcats needing three outs to secure the victory and the tournament championship.   The Indians had the middle of their batting order due up and would not go down easily.    Mundy got a big out, getting Daniels to ground out to start the inning.   Avery Dean, who had come in to replace Daniels on the mound for the Indians, hit a bleeder to the right side and beat out a close play at first to give the Indians life.   The speedy Daniels came in to run for the pitcher Dean.   Daniels again used his speed to cause trouble for the Wildcats.    Daniels stole two bases to put the tying run on third base.   Taking advantage of a big jump Daniels stole home for the second time in the game on a bang-bang play at the plate.  

The Wildcats still had an opportunity in the bottom of the 6^th secure the win.   After Mundy and Moore secured walks, Dean hit Costine with a pitch to load the bases with only one out.   Simon came to bat with the infield drawn in for a play at the plate.   No play was necessary though as Simon drew another walk forcing in the winning run and the impressive tournament win for the Wildcats.

The Wildcats reached the championship game behind a near perfect game by Ryan Flores.   Flores threw a no hitter with only one runner reaching on a throwing error in an 8-0 victory in the semi-final game.