GULF SHORES, Ala. — The Gainesville Braves 11U fell 8-5 in the USSSA World Series semifinals to the eventual champions, Mafia (Aal.) and finished in third place in the 36-team field.
The Braves ended with a 5-2-1 record, with both losses coming to the state champions from the state of Alabama.
Gainesville, coached by Trent Smallwood, cruised through pool play with a 3-0-1 record, averaging over 10 runs per game while only allowing just over three runs per contest. Those games included a wins over Deer Park Ducks (TX) 12-4, Varsity Elite (LA) 11-4, Shoals Creek Baseball (AL) 16-1, and a tie against Elite Gamers 4-4.
Nolan Turner was red hot at the plate throughout pool play, going 5-for-10 with nine RBI’s, including two homeruns. Blake Holcomb also came through big for the Braves in the tied contest, connecting on a two-run homer to tie the game late in the game. Ryan Black, Turner, and Remington Garrett all collected wins on the mound during pool play.
Gainesville entered bracket play on Friday as the 6th seed, and matched up with Mafia in the first round. After falling 6-3 in the opening round, the Braves were forced with climbing a tall mountain on Saturday out of the loser’s bracket.
On Saturday morning, the Braves were matched up with the No. 2 seeded Paducah Storm (KY). 12 hits at the plate and a strong pitching performance by Holcomb helped lead Gainesville to a 13-4 victory. Turner belted his third homerun of the tournament in the win.
Following the victory, the Braves moved on to play the No. 1 seeded DBI Bluesox (TX). Garrett pitched three innings of shutout ball to lead Gainesville to a 9-0 victory and a trip to the semifinals. Kade Smallwood led the Braves at the plate finishing 3-for-3 with two RBI’s in the contest.
The Braves concluded the tournament with 73 runs scored and 70 hits in eight games. Smallwood (.579, 5 RBI’s), Turner (.429, 15 RBI’s), Jonathan Read (.391, 12 runs scored), Elijah Benson (.375, 4 RBI’s) and JaQuez Sims (.316, 10 runs scored, 10 stolen bases) led the Gainesville hitting attack.
On the mound, the Braves were just as impressive allowing only 30 runs in eight games. Garrett (2-0, 0.82 ERA), Holcomb (1-0, 4.00 ERA), Read (1.50 ERA) and Hunter Fouche (0.00 ERA) led the Gainesville pitching attack.
(The information was provided by Gainesville High and Gainesville Braves 10-under baseball coach Jeremy Kemp).
