For the love of the game; TD Sluggers 12U win on homers, strong pitching
TD Slugger Kellen Elliott is hoisted up after hitting a single and scoring a winning run to beat Tigard in April.
Sluggers knocking it out of the park with two tourney wins.
Team sends Elvis out of the building 19 times in two tournaments
Mothers honored with last-inning heroics
Photos and Story from Katie Ortega with additions by Tom Peterson:
The Dalles Sluggers 12U team has been peeling the leather off the ball this season with two tourney championships as they approach the end of their season next week.
City of Roses April 1 & 2
At the City of Roses Classic tournament in April the team advanced to the championship game vs. Tigard.
And it was go-time for Kellen Elliott, the youngest member of the team.
It was the bottom of the 6th inning and the sluggers had 2 outs.
The team was down by a single run. And Elliott was up to bat.
He ripped a line drive to right field for a single, scoring Zeke Cervantes and tying the game.
The crowd was on pins and needles as the Slugger’s Colton Rippy took the box next.
His keen eye and patience drew a walk advancing Elliott to second.
And then the crowd erupted as Elliot stole third, just a base away from victory.
Slugger’s Joel Ortega grabbed his bat and took a deep look at the pitcher.
The pitch came in wild.
Elliot took off from third as the catcher scrambled for the ball, Elliott smashes his foot on home plate for the win - 10 to 9.
Elliott’s single and base running sent his teammates into a lather as they lifted him on their shoulders and carried him off the field.
In the tournament the team hit 10 home runs collectively; Ben Graham (4), Hunter Kelley (2), Levi Alsup (1 - Grand Slam), Zeke Cervantes (1), Joel Ortega (1), and Creed Weedman (1).
PCYBL's Cinco de Mayo Tournament, on May 6-7
Sluggers were finalist in the PCYBL's Cinco de Mayo Tournament, on May 6-7 in Keizer, OR - The team lost to Dallas (7-10) in the last game after beating them earlier in the tournament (9-7).
The team hit 9 home runs collectively; Hunter Kelley (2), Joel Ortega (2), Austen Alsup (1), Thatcher Dray (1), David Gardipee (1), Ben Graham (1), and Creed Weedman (1).
The Dingers Club - Left to right - Hunter Kelley, Joel Ortega, Ben Graham, Creed Weedman, Thatcher Dray, David Gardipee, Austen Alsup.
Northwest Nations Cinco de Mayo Fiesta on April 29-30
Northwest Nations Cinco de Mayo Fiesta on April 29-30 in Kennewick, WA - Sluggers beat the LC Outlaws Baseball Club in the last game (4-2) to claim 5th place.
Mother’s Day May 13 & 14
Teammates get ready to celebrate Zeke Cervantes' home run trot in the PCYBL Mother's Day tournament.
At the Mother’s Day Tournament on May 13 & 14 in Keizer, the moms pulled a fast one on the boys and switched their walk-up songs to various other songs in an attempt to surprise and maybe embarrass the boys a little.
In turn, the boys gifted each mom a red rose and won the tournament for them. The Sluggers beat Central Baseball (11-5) for the championship.
Players gave their mom’s a championship on Mother’s Day.
Top Pitching
Thatcher Dray - 35.2 innings pitched with 66 strikeouts.
Ben Graham - 13 innings pitched with 19 strikeouts.
David Gardipee - 12.2 innings pitched with 22 strikeouts.
Levi Alsup - 10.1 innings pitched with 18 strikeouts.
Creed Weedman - 10.1 innings pitched with 16 strikeouts.
Batting
The team batting average for the season so far is .408.
The team has 210 combined hits this season.
Next up: The team plays its final tournament in Kennewick on June 3 & 4.
The team is coached by David Ortega, Shane Elliott, and Travis Dray.
Front row (L to R) - Zeke Cervantes, Joel Ortega, Kellen Elliott, Colton Rippyl. Back row - Coach David Ortega, Ben Graham, Creed Weedman, Thatcher Dray, Hunter Kelley, David Gardipee, Austen Alsup, Coach Shane Elliott, Levi Alsup
