SHERWOOD — In tee-ball, the key to victory is most often which team makes the plays on defense. And, on Friday, July 2, it was the Bryant All-Stars who were making most of them as they opened the 6-and-under State Tournament against Camden.
Highlighted by a pop-up doubleplay started by second baseman Connor Martin to end the first inning, Bryant rolled to an 18-4 win to advance to a second-round game on Sunday at 5 p.m.
The Bryant team of 6-year-olds, managed by Jason Greiner with assistance from Wesley Grant and Ryan Martin, includes Evan Barrett, Luke Dreher, Dawson Goines, Dawson Grant, Caleb Greiner, Kason Highfill, Logan Hope, Conner Martin, Logan McDonald, Cade Parker, Hayden Thompson and Logan White.[more]
Bryant scored the maximum limit of six runs in each of the three innings. Greiner and Highfill started the game with consecutive doubles then Martin singled. With one down, Grant cleared the bases with a triple. McDonald singled him in but was tagged out trying to get to second.
White got things going again with a single. He raced home on the second triple of the inning, cracked by Goines. And when Barrett singled in Goines, the Bryant Stars had their six.
Camden made a bid to answer fully when the first three batters reached base to cut the lead to 6-2. With one out, a single put runners at first and third setting the stage for the inning-ending doubleplay in which Martin caught a pop and fired to Highfill at first to double off the runner before he could get back.
Bryant’s second-inning run-fest began with consecutive one-out singles by Hope, Thompson and Greiner before Highfill belted his second double. Martin added a two-bagger before Parker and Grant singled. Another double, this time off McDonald’s bat, capped the inning.
Then the Bryant Stars retired Camden 1-2-3 in the bottom of the second with Martin and McDonald catching pop ups and Goines, from the pitching circle, throwing out a runner at first.
Bryant’s six in the third all came after two were out. Barrett singled and Dreher ripped a triple to chase him home. Hope doubled to plate Dreher then Thompson blasted a three-base hit.
Greiner, Highfill, Martin and Parker reeled off four more singles in a row to make it 18-2.
Camden managed two more runs in the bottom of the third on a couple of singles around a double with one out. The next batter drove one to right field that was fielded and returned to the infield in time for the runner from first to be forced at second. A tap to Goines produced the final out, moments later.
