Frederick Hustlers (13U)

The Frederick Hustlers dropped three games over the weekend in the nine-team Dig In tournament – one to the Elkridge Hurricanes (7-6) and two to the tourney champ Virginia Breeze (9-1) and (1-0). Saturday’s effort against Elkridge lacked effort and energy and the Hustlers ended up on the short end. The game ended with two outs in the bottom of the 7th when a high pop-up between second base and CF wasn’t caught. Dustin Isanogle led the Hustlers with two hits while Joe Pippin delivered a big, two out two-run single in the Hustler four-run fourth inning. Tyler Prather doubled, and Justin Ropp, Marshall Mott and Ryan Bennett each contributed singles. After a very disappointing loss, the Hustlers bounced back against a really good Virginia Breeze team. The Hustlers were in a 2-1 ballgame before the wheels came off in the 5th. Marshall Mott limited the Breeze to one run on three hits in the three innings of work. The Hustlers were held to a lone hit – a single by Bennett in the fourth.

The reward for a bad Saturday of baseball was a rematch on Sunday as the #7 seeded Hustlers got a rematch against the #2 seeded Breeze. This time – the Hustlers came ready to play and Marshall Mott, Nick DeLisi and Matt Cunningham were all sensational on the mound. Mott worked the first three and only allowed one base hit; he struck out three. Nick DeLisi made his season debut on the bump and wasn’t to be outdone. He too pitched three scoreless – striking out three and only surrendering two hits. Matt Cunningham pitched a scoreless 7th and struck out two. The Breeze finally broke through in the bottom of the 8th with a run on a walk and a single. The Hustlers had great opportunities in the 7th and 8th innings to win but couldn’t get the big hit or sacrifice fly. In the 7th, JT Sachar led off with a line drive to left center. After stealing 2nd, Nick DeLisi laid down a beautiful sacrifice to get Sachar to third with one out. The next two Hustlers struck out and grounded back to the pitcher to end the threat. Matt Cunningham led off the 8th by air-mailing the left fielder with a double. Mott followed with a comebacker to the pitcher but Cunningham was thrown out going to third to end the rally. Sachar had two hits, and Cunningham doubled and Jared Struss singled in the loss.

The Virginia Breeze beat a very good Dig In team 8-3 in the Championship game.