South Charlotte Panthers

PERFECT GAME WWBA 18U CHAMPIONSHIP

The South Charlotte Panthers 2009's competed in the WWBA 18U Nationals in East Cobb, Georgia the week of July 1. The Cats completed pool play 5-0 and advanced to the round of 32 out of 180 teams. The team lost to eventual tournament runner up 2-1 in the round of 32 game.

 GAME 1

SC Panthers   8.....................................................8.....8.....4

Akedema Yankees (IND)  2..................................2....4......0

Winning Pitcher: Corey Roberts    5.66 IP; 4 H; 0 ER; 8 K.

Leading Hitters: Tyler Zupcic 2-3 (2B); Tyler Tewell 2-3 (2 RBI).

The Cats won their opening game 8-2 after jumping out to a 5-0 lead in the first two innings and not looking back. Starting pitcher and game winner Corey Roberts pitched into the sixth.  The hitters were led by Tyler Tewell and Tyler Zupcic who both collected 2 hits. Also getting hits for the Cats were Corbin Shive; C.A. Clayton; Rafael Gonzalez and Ty Linton.

GAME 2

SC Panthers   4...........................................................4.....6.....0

Dugout Tigers (GA)   0..............................................0.....4......0

Winning Pitcher: Corbin Shive (4-0)   6.33 IP; 4 H; 10K

Leading Hitters: Tyler Zupcic 2-3 (2B); Tyler Tewell 1-2; Ty Linton 1-1 (2B); C.A. Clayton 1-2 (2B).

The Panthers took a half game lead in pool play with a 2-0 record with their game 2 win. Corbin Shive threw a gem for his fourth win of the year going 6.33 innings and not giving up a run off of 4 hits while striking out 10. The T crew Tyler Zupcic, Tyler Tewell and Ty Linton led the offense with hits as well as C.A. Clayton with a double and run and Casey Gebhardt.

GAME 3

SC Panthers  5..............................................................5.....5.....4

SE Road Warriors (TN)  4..........................................4......4.....0

Winning Pitcher: Mat Batts   7 IP; 4 H; 0 ER; 6 K.

Leading Hitters: Richie Shaffer 1-1 (RBI); Ty Linton 1-2; Tyler Zupcic 1-3.

The Panthers took an early 2 run lead that they let get away in the fourth with some uncharacteristic poor defense. The Cats fought back for a 4-4 tie and then won the game in the bottom of the seventh on a bases loaded scratch hit by 1B Rafael Gonzalez. Mat Batts pitched an outstanding complete game for the win giving up only 4 hits and none after the fourth while striking out 6. Richie Shaffer was 1 for 1 with an RBI; walked 3 times and scored the winning run to lead the offense. The Panthers are now 3-0 in pool play and lead by a game and a half going into game 4.

GAME 4

SC Panthers   11.......................................................11......10.....1

CA Yard Dogs (CA)  1 ...............................................1......4.....2

Winning Pitcher: Luke Bard

Leading Hitters: Richie Shaffer 2-3 (2B/3B); Ty Linton 2-3.

The Panthers jumped out to an early lead and closed it out in a run rule game. The Cats are assured of advancing to the final 32 as the pool winners and will play their final pool game at the East Cobb complex Saturday morning. Game and schedule details to follow.

GAME 5

SC Panthers  7................................................7.....9.....2

Knights Baseball (FL)  3.................................3.....6.....2

Winning Pitcher: Joe Shealy (3-1)  4.33 IP; 2 H; 0 R; 2 K

Leading Hitters: Tyler Tewell 2-3 (2/2B); Tyler Zupcic 2-3; Matt Lee 2-3.

The Cats scored in 5 of 7 innings and completed pool play 5-0 to advance to the championship round of 32 teams. Tyler Tewell hit two doubles and drove in 3 runs to lead the offense. Joe Shealy picked up his third win of the season and the game was closed out by lefty Justin Setzer.

GAME 6  -  Round of 32

SC Panthers  1.................................................1.....3.....1

Illinois Sparks  2.............................................2.....6....1

Losing Pitcher: Richie Shaffer (0-1)  6 IP; 6 H; 2 R; 6 K

Leading Hitters: Richie Shaffer 1-3 (2B); Ty Linton 1-3; Brian Holberton 1-2.

The Panthers lost in the round of 32 in a pitchers duel versus the Sparks from Illinois. The loss ended the 18U event for the 2009 Panthers.