July 17, 2024
MIRA LOMA, CA – Launching a long home run on the first pitch delivered might make a team feel so comfortable, they swap out cleats for bunny slippers and watch fun, scary movies in the dugout until the final score is posted.
For the 14u OC Batbusters Stith/Garcia squad, they were wise to hold off on the popcorn and just stay in the moment Wednesday at TC Nationals.
After grabbing a quick 2-0 lead against SoCal Athletics DK at Big League Dreams-Riverside, the Batbusters had to confront the feeling of falling behind 5-2 as the teams positioned to grab a berth in the14u championship bracket. A six-run response in the fourth inning made things feel right, and the Batbusters closed out a 12-5 run-rule win to set up their 8 a.m. assignment Thursday in the final eight of the event, produced by Triple Crown Sports.
As hinted at, Devaeh Crawford hit the first pitch she saw leading off the top of the first, and in fact the next hitter, Jaylene Jiminez, missed a homer by about five feet on the very next pitch. Lex Serrano also had an RBI at the start to push the Batbusters ahead.
In the third inning, the Athletics benefited from some errors and took charge with RBI efforts from Kaylahni Duenas, Cassidy Kepler and Esme Soto for that 5-2 lead. The Batbusters countered, fueled by a home run from TulutuluLelei Salue, and the score stood at 8-5 after four complete frames.
“We stayed focused and locked in – we were confident that we’d come back,” Crawford said. “We knew we had to handle business and be ready for anything. I’m hitting line drives, focusing on getting base hits.”
While the offense worked its way through the drama and provided help, Batbusters starter Madeline Capik took about one inning off halfway through before coming back to the circle to close things out. Her final three innings were outstanding as she allowed just one hit and one hit batter, with the game ending on a well-executed double play.
“I focused more on getting ahead in the count and trying to get the first out in the inning,” Capik said. “The offense boosted my confidence a lot; when I go in for the next inning I feel a lot more comfortable in that situation. We were pretty confident about doing well in this tournament.”
The Batbusters ended strong in the sixth inning with a home run from Jiminez and doubles from Crawford and Salue.
“We faced some adversity coming into the game (that affected warm-up time), so Devaeh coming in with that home run really set the tone for us,” said Batbusters coach Chris Garcia. “It’s not easily what Madeline had to do, but she’s capable and has a lot of talent. She’s very strong-minded …she can dial it in when she has to close things out. This is exactly where this group should be. A lot of room to grow, and a lot of expectations on them as well.”
