Frederick Hustlers (13U)

The 10U Hustlers made the trek across the Chesapeake Bay Bridge to Rehoboth Beach, Delaware this past weekend for Sports at the Beach’s Clash of the Titans. The Hustlers appeared ready for another tournament title with their inspired play on Saturday. Drawing a tough first game opponent in eventual runner-up Go Wags War Eagles, the Hustlers put together one of those perfect games that you usually only dream about at 10U baseball and came out on the right side of a 1-0 game. Justin Ropp (two innings), Andrew McElwain (one inning) and Joseph Pippin (three innings) combined on a two-hitter and rode a strong defensive effort with plays being turned in that made you glad you were there. The Hustlers were looking down the barrel of a perfect game until the 5th inning when they got their lone run and only hit. After a strikeout to start the inning, McElwain and Pippin drew back to back walks. That’s when Brandon Buschman delivered a line drive single back up the middle to give the Hustlers the lead and the winning margin.

The Hustler bats came alive a little in the second game of the day against the Grand Slam Blue Rocks (who went on to win the Consolation Bracket). The Hustlers got on the board in the first when JT Sachar walked, stole second and was driven home on a single from Ropp. The Hustlers then scored one in the second and five in the third to take control. The big hit of that inning was a scorched two-run double from Pippin. Ropp led the way with two hits, and Sachar, Mikhai Evans, Matt Cunningham (double), McElwain, Pippin (double), Ryan Bennett and Hayden Bailey each contributed a hit. Ropp, Cunningham, Sachar and McElwain were all effective on the mound as the Hustlers came away with a 12-5 win and earned the #1 seed in the Championship Bracket on Sunday.

Sunday turned out to be a day to forget. The Hustlers uncharacteristically committed five errors in the first four innings and lost to the South Jersey Warriors 8-1. Despite the miscues, the Hustlers only trailed 3-1 going into the bottom of the fifth . The Hustlers just couldn’t get anything going. Their best chance was in the second when Cunningham, McElwain and Pippin led off with consecutive singles. With one run in and runners on second and third with one out, the Hustlers tried to bunt another run across but the attempt was popped up to the catcher and the Warriors escaped further damage. The Hustlers were held to five hits – all singles. Evans and Zach Rutter had the other base hits.

The CRAB League’s Olney Pirates won the tournament by beating the GoWags War Eagles 16-11 in the Championship game.