Colonie LL Loses Game 1 in Bristol – Need Big Bounce Back to Avoid Elimination
The Colonie 12U All-Stars took to the field on Monday afternoon versus Oaks, PA haven't not lost a game since tournamant play started 6 weeks ago. Having gone 16-0 and averaging 11 runs a game heading into the Mid-Atlantic Regionals in Bristol, this team certainly came into the contest with swagger and confidence at the plate.
But a sluggish start in the first inning - and perhaps some early nerves - led to an early three-run deficit allowing the the All-Stars from Oaks a chance to play loose and confident.
The kids from Colonie (0-1) battled throughout the game, but they ultimately came up short losing 11-3 on Monday.
Down 3-0 after one, Colonie starting pitcher Cam Fruscio settled in a little bit and managed to keep the score close, but the same hitters who mashed their way through 16 games in tournament play couldn't get much going offensively.
Give credit to PA (2-0) starting pitcher Jalen Bowman who was strike-throwing machine in his 3 and 2/3 innings pitched. He wasn't necessarily overpowering, but he was incredibly effiicient - throwing strike after strike - limiting the Colonie squad to just 5 hits while walking none, and striking out 5 batters on just 51 pitches.
The talented group from Oaks, PA took a 3-0 lead going into the top of the 4th inning, and that's where they broke the game wide open, scoring 6 more times to make it 9-0.
Colonie would rally, getting a run back in the bottom of the 4th, but PA was able to get out of a bases loaded jam preserving the lead and ending any real threat of a Colonie comeback.
Colonie can't hang their heads. This is still a very dangerous team and they have the bats to to battle anyone and one loss in this tournamant won't end your season, a second loss does.
Colonie will play Delaware on Tuesday morning at 10 AM on ESPN + and they must regain that swagger and come out smashing again tomorrow if they hope to avoid elimination.
Let's go boys- you can do this!
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