Frederick Hustlers (13U)

A new team, a new season. Who would’ve guessed that this group of 7 and 8 year-olds could have put together such an exciting performance in their first game? The Hustlers played nearly flawless baseball for five innings. Taking a 3-1 lead into the final inning and needing just three outs, the wheels came off the cart a bit and the Hustlers dropped a fun and thrilling ballgame 11-3.

Cody Smith and Carter Jackson were perfect on the mound thru four innings; Smith had six strikeouts and Jackson recorded five in each of their two innings of work. Evin Kloster was equally effective in the fifth as he struck out two and surrendered a lone run. Meanwhile, the Hustler bats came to life in the bottom of the fifth. Tyce Munger got things going with a stand-up double to left. Carter Jackson then brought the crowd to their feet with an inside-the-park two-run home run. The Hustlers weren’t done. Evin Kloster ripped a double to left and Cody Smith laced a single to drive in Kloster.

While the Hustler pitchers and fielders struggled a little in the sixth, the level of play throughout the evening was quite impressive. “If you’re having a bad day or maybe even a bad week, watching these guys play is the perfect medicine,” noted Coach Main. “I had forgotten how much fun this age group is. Abner Doubleday has to be smiling!”

For the game, Smith had an all-around excellent performance and led the way with three hits. Jackson had two hits, and Kloster, Cooper Bell and Munger each had one. Garrett Touchet hit a hard shot in the bottom of the sixth that was fielded by the Cyclone second baseman.

Defensively, the Hustlers got great catching efforts from Kai Akins, RJ Dermady, Cody Smith and Tyce Munger.

The young Hustlers are back in action on Sunday when they travel to Annapolis to take on API.