07/20/2023
It was a bittersweet event as the Sanford Dirt Devils ended their journey as a team after competing in the Top Gun Summer Nationals in Myrtle Beach, SC, July 13-16. The Dirt Devils remained undefeated and #1 seed up until the second game in bracket play against the Canes West Raleigh – Holmes.
Pool play started on Thursday morning at the Billy Gardner Sports Complex in Conway, SC against USA Prime Melton from Siloam, NC. The game was kicked off with a double from Ben, but that would be the only time a double would be seen. Singles and walks tallied the score with a fourth-inning finish 13-4.
Next up was the Five Star Mafia from Christiansburg, VA. Again the game ended in the fourth inning with a 9-1 mercy rule score. Mitchel pitched three innings with Sam relieving in the fourth. The Dirt Devils managed two “3-up/3-down” innings with strikeouts, pop-outs, and ground-outs.
Friday was a free day, which meant beach time! But the Dirt Devils were back at it bright and early with an 8 am game on Saturday at the South Strand Recreation Center against Park Sharon Nationals from Charlotte, NC. The doubles and double plays were plentiful! Ben set the tone with a double as lead-off. The doubles continued with Brody, Tyler, Caiden and Aidyn. Ben pitched three innings and Dallas relieved in the last of the 4-inning game, where the Devils won 15-2.
Saturday saw the last pool play game against Havoc Sports from Spotsylvania, VA and the first 5-inning game! Tyler and Brody hit doubles, Caiden pitched all five innings and the Dirt Devils executed on a great 6-4-3 double play. The final score was 11-5.
Seeding put the Dirt Devils at #1 for bracket play on Sunday at North Myrtle Beach Sports Complex. The first game was against the #8 seed, USA Prime Andino from Clemmons, NC. The hits were scarce until the fourth inning where the Dirt Devils lit it up with singles and managed to seal the deal with a 9-1 score after the fourth inning. Mitchel pitched all four innings.
Game #2 in bracket play was against Canes West Raleigh Holmes from Raleigh, NC. The Canes took the lead from the start and never looked back. Though the score wasn’t looking in our favor, Luke did manage to hit a home run – the first and only dinger of the tournament for the Dirt Devils. Brody and Dallas pitched. The final score was 8-4, eliminating the Dirt Devils.
The Dirt Devils ended the 13U and final year at 30-12-1.
