July 18, 2024
BY BOB JUDSON
OGDEN, UT — Diamond Dogs (Ogden, UT) first baseman Kennadie Blackmer hit a two-run homer in the first inning and continued to torch the Athletics Mercado Spinner (Las Vegas, NV) team on a Thursday where temperatures topped 100 degrees.
Blackmer was on base four times over four innings as the Diamond Dogs run-ruled Athletics Mercado, 18-3, in their opening game of Gold Bracket play in the Triple Crown 14u World Series tournament at Fourth Street Park.
She had a single, two walks and the home run in four at bats and scored four runs, coupled with five RBI.
Blackmer’s two-run blast gave the Diamond Dogs a quick 2-0 in the top of the first before Athletics Mercado could even record an out.
“My first teammate got on and I knew I had to put the ball in play and get her home, somehow,” Blackmer said. “The girl had given me two balls in a row; I was looking for a full ball on the plate so I could hit it as hard as I could and square it up. She gave me that pitch and I took it for a ride.”
Athletics Mercado technically pitched to Blackmer in the second inning in what amounted to an intentional walk and she came home to score on a two-run single by third-baseman Lucy Griffin (more on her later) that mounted the Diamond Dogs’ lead to 5-0.
“Second at-bat I knew that they were going to give me tougher pitches … I would have to figure out some way to make a play,” Blackmer said. “If they didn’t give me anything, accept the walk. A walk’s a single.”
The Diamond Dogs batted around in the third inning and plated seven runs, keyed by Blackmer’s two-run single.
“There’s two on and two out. I had to hit the ball and get the girls home; she pitched me inside and it went down the third baseline,” Blackmer said.
Six straight batters reached base in the third inning and shortstop Izi Mason also had a two-run single, as the Diamond Dogs went up 12-1.
Then comes the shout-out to Griffin.
Athletics Mercado was so worried about what more damage Blackmer could do, that they walked her with the bases loaded in the fourth inning, forcing in another run–deciding Griffin was an easier option as the next hitter.
“I was looking for a pitch; if they gave me something, I was ready to totally crush it. If they didn’t give me anything I was going to be patient and accept the walk,” Blackmer said. “That would bring in a run. Any way I can help my team.”
Griffin already had two hits and two RBI on the day when she stepped into the box with the bases juiced and promptly launched a grand slam home run to punish Athletics Mercado’s decision.
“I kind of took it personal, honestly. But, then I got up and was looking for one pitch to drive,” Griffin said. “I just went up and got angry and swung.”
Six runs in that fourth inning led to the final 18-3 margin of victory. The Diamond Dogs batted around through their lineup twice in the four innings.
“Hitting-wise, sometimes we have off days; today we came with fire, ready to win the game and that’s what we did,” Griffin said.
On the other side of the slate, Diamond Dogs pitcher Cambree Pierson enjoyed the big lead and tossed the first three innings, yielding three hits, while striking out two, with no walks.
“Go up there, get easy outs, spin the ball and trust the defense that they’re going to get an out for you, if you don’t strike them out,” Pierson said.
Pierson can throw heat if she needs to, and when Athletics Mercado scored two runs in the third inning and had a runner a second with one out, she rocketed a three-pitch 'K' to quell the rally.
“Stay calm in the moment and don’t let it get to your head,” Pierson said. “I threw curves and screws.”
Blackmer gave props to her starter, then pitched a perfect final frame.
“We were hoping she could get through the game and if they started catching on, bring me in to close it,” Blackmer said. “She did a fantastic job. They brought me in so we could get three up, three down real quick and easy, so we didn’t have to go another inning.”
Mason scored three runs for the Diamond Dogs, Griffin had six RBI with the grand salami and centerfielder Liv Broadbent also scored three runs. The Diamond Dogs stroked 15 hits for the game.
