Week 3 Highlights and Recap: Potential Cy Young Candidates Emerge!

The first game of the weekend posted two teams looking to build off a solid Week 2 showing. The Launchers consistently preach the “little things” in baseball… and we saw that pay off in this one. Akira S. showed his versatility manning multiple positions throughout the game, while Jake W. chipped in with a beautiful drag bunt to kick off a rally. The Launchers will continue to do much of the same against their foe, the Sluggers, next weekend.

Next Week: Factory vs Crushers; Launchers vs Sluggers

The Bombers and Homers both saw the emergence of some powerful young arms on the mound. Jackson F. (Homers) is catching his stride, dealing strikes consistently from a smooth left-handed motion. The Bombers back-end of the bullpen was lights-out, with RJ H. and Declan D. dealing in the late innings to close this game out. Koa is excited to see what these young flamethrowers can do in the upcoming cold months.

Next Week: Bombers vs Mashers; Homers vs Sluggers

 Factory (4-0) vs Crushers (1-2)

Although the score might not show it, the Crushers have A LOT to be excited about after this showdown with Baseball Factory. The offense showed promised in the late innings with contributions from Jacob P. (3-3) and Andrew L. who had the best game of his young Koa career (1-1, 2BB). The Crushers have a chance at redemption, as they face Baseball Factory again next weekend.

Next Week: Factory vs Crushers pt. 2

After their defeat in the Sping 2016 Championship Game, the Mashers could not have started this season any better winning the first four games of the season. Charlie B. (Mashers) was nearly unhittable as he kept the Sluggers off-balance for most of the day (3 IP, 1 H, 1 ER, 7 K). The Mashers stayed in the game behind a strong performance from Andreas J. on the mound (2 IP, 0H, 3 K).

Next Week: Mashers vs Bombers; Sluggers vs Homers (Gm 1), Sluggers vs Launchers (Gm 2)

In the first game of their doubleheader, the Sliders came out on top in a nail-biter over the Farmers. The Sliders relied on consistently strong play from Brandon B. and Declan O. Could they hold on to sweep their doubleheader? Let’s find out next.

Next Week: Sliders vs Curveballs; Farmers vs Fastballs

The Sliders were unable to complete the sweep thanks to a offensive surge from the Splitters. The Splitters got out to a huge lead early, but the Sliders clawed their way back to make this one close at the end. The Splitters once again relied on their speed and aggressiveness as they swiped 7 bases on the day. Both of these teams look like they can make a run in October.

Next Week: Splitters vs Changeups; Sliders vs Curveballs

Making your Koa debut is an exciting, nerve-rattling moment in any young player’s life… but for Kosuke H. (Changeups), it was another day at the office. In his Koa debut, Kosuke H. dominated on both the mound and at the plate (3 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 8 K; 2-3, HR, 3 RBI) to lead the Changeups to a 3-0 start. Stephen R. (Curveballs) was not fooled by the rookie, as he laced a scorching double into the right center gap in the early innings. Both teams have tough matchups in the first weekend of October.

Next Week: Changeups vs Screwballs (Gm 1) Changeups vs Splitters (Gm 2); Curveballs vs Sliders

In this back-and-forth game, the Screwballs were finally able to hold off the Fastball push at the end. Young outfielder Lance H. (Screwballs) had his best game of the season at the top-of-the-order (4-4, 2B, 3 R, 4 SB). After falling behind early, the Fastballs battled back in the late innings behind the bat of Charlie S. What a game!

Next Week: Screwballs vs Changeups; Fastballs vs Farmers

The Wreckers are now tied for the league lead in BABL AAA with a doubleheader sweep of the Blasters. Zach M. (Wreckers) chipped in with a HUGE 3-run double to ice this one. The Blasters are excited about young LHP Xavier B., who is having no trouble making the adjustment from BABL AA.

Next Week: Wreckers vs Dingers; Blasters vs Slammers

 No run shortage in this doubleheader, as the Dingers and Slammers split on Saturday afternoon. Can’t have a better day than Ray A. (Dingers) who went 4-5 while driving in 3 runs and scoring 2 himself. We are looking forward to a rematch of these too squads in two weeks.

Next Week: Dingers vs Wreckers; Slammers vs Blasters

The 10U Green Wave have caught fire these past two weekends with back-to-back splits in their doubleheaders. Newly acquired Shane M. made his 10U debut over the weekend, and he had himself a strong showing in his first start on the mound (3 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 6 K). 1oU was one big hit away from finishing off the sweep on Sunday.

Next Week: Alexandria Aces (doubleheader)

After a big walk-off victory last weekend, the 11U Green Wave were on the other side this weekend, losing on a walk-off hit in Game 1. After falling behind 8-3 early in Game 2, team captains Connor B. and Jay W. brought the team together. The Koa News Team was not able to overhear the team meeting, but whatever was said must have done the trick! 11U scored 17 unanswered capped off by a mammoth two-run tater from Andrew L. to seal Game 2.

Next Week: SYA Mets (doubleheader)

After a tough start to the 2016 Fall Season, the 12U Green Wave have begun to turn some heads in the NVTBL, with two doubleheader splits in the last two weekends. The team continues to rely on quality starting pitching and small-ball. Coach Adam Spadafora after the games: “I wouldn’t be surprised if we rattle off 6 in a row.”

Next Week: Fairfax Royals (doubleheader)

The 13U Green Wave moved to 4-2 on the young season with a split against the Bulldogs. Ethan S. has been heating up at the plate the last two weekends, and it continued with a 3 hit afternoon and 2 RBI. The tall, lanky RHP Burke P. carved up the Bulldogs as Burke scattered 3 hits across 3 innings while striking out 3. Keep it rolling 13U!

Next Week: McLean Mud Hens (doubleheader)

The talented 14U East squad showed a lot of heart in this weekend’s doubleheader against the Rangers. After dropping Game 1, 14U East grinded out a tough 12-5 victory in Game 2. RHP’s AJ B. and Johnny R. cemented the victory combining for 4 shutout innings on the mound.

Next Week: MVP Terps East (Gm 1), Potomac Riverdogs (Gm 2)

In a matchup against the rival Militia, 14U West were a couple of plays away from coming back in both games on Sunday. Aidan D. hit one of the longest homers in Koa history (estimated 350 ft). If that’s not impressive enough, how about doing it with the bases loaded? That’s right… a GRAND SALAMI. Let’s see if 14U West can put it all together next weekend.

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Next Week: Coles Rebels (doubleheader)

Getting the first win of the season is always the toughest. But how about sweeping a doubleheader to get the first two wins of the season? That’s exactly what High School JV did this past weekend against the BC Stars. The team was led by Ethan G. who went a staggering 6-8 on the day while driving in 4 runs. Tyler C. has been untouchable in the month of September on the mound as he added another complete game to his name in Game 1. Congrats High School JV!

Next Week: Annandale A’s (doubleheader)

Koa High School Varsity impressed once again with a doubleheader split against a highly-talented Moose squad. Chris M. dazzled in his complete game, 1-run masterpiece in Game 1. The entire lineup contributed with big knocks from Toby H, Steven L, and Zach G. The bats cooled off in Game 2, but there is still a lot to be excited about with Koa High School Varsity!

Next Week: Metropolitan Senators.

Travel

Koa Travel	W/L
10U	2-4
11U	4-2
12U	2-8
13U	4-2
14U East	3-3
14U West	3-3
High School JV	2-4
High School Varsity	3-3

BABL