It’s the Majors AA Championship at Nike Park Naperville Little League Baseball Championship Day on NCTV17. Remember to order a personal copy of the game by visiting the NCTV17 online store and purchasing an MP4 download.
We’re at Nike Park for the 2023 Majors AA City Championship between the Flying Squirrels and Ambrose Plumbing Royal Flush. Royal Flush’s Jeremiah Ro is out of town, but his team brought him in for the lineup anyway. Flying Squirrel players Logan Greene and Will Eagan are looking to bring the title home, while Royal Flush’s Eli Meslin is aiming to become the second in his family to win the Majors AA Championship after his brother in 2020. Just as the game begins, an airplane with a Flying Squirrels banner can be seen overhead.
Flying squirrels get off to a hot start
At the beginning of the first period, Braden Matthews enters the base of the Flying Squirrels and promotes a runner to second base and into the points position.
On the next punch, Max Morgan hits one in the middle and over the outfielder’s head. It hits Anderson Holba, who had earlier reached on a walk, and Matthews. The Flying Squirrels are 2-0 ahead.
Later in the order, Ty Larson hits one in the middle, giving Morgan a chance to score from second place. The throw at the plate just misses and Morgan forces his way in for a run. The Squirles finished the first leg 3-0.
At the end of the first half, Royal Flush’s Jayden Gamble tries to control his momentum but hits the ball. It’s initially thrown out, but it’s enough to hit Lucas Kulaga. Royal Flush reduces his deficit to two.
Now runners are on the corners for the royal flush, but it’s Flying Squirrels pitcher Luke Mattson who records the strikeout to get out of the inning.
In the second set, Brady Vogel sends one past the second baseman’s glove for a single.
And now, in the bottom half of the inning, Colin Stacks Royal Flush Bunt and walks to first base.
Next up for the flush, Isaac Yi shows his patience by recording a walk and setting up a base-full situation for his team.
Both teams show an impressive defense
The next attack is a big hit as the flush hits a liner right at Morgan, who is playing on third base. He gets the fly out and thinks he made the tag out, but the umpire thinks the runner is safe. Morgan throws the ball down and the flush sends his runner home to try to score, but the Squirrels quickly manage to get the ball home and the runner is called. A crazy double whammy in the biggest game of the year!
Early in the third, Jack Serbinski catches the ground ball well on second base and gets the runner out in time.
The next shot sees a pop-up to first-basement Barrett Andler, who stays composed for the catch and records the second draft of the inning. The Flying Squirells still lead 3-1.
Shortstop, Tristan Russian scoots into midfield from second base and grabs third from the inning.
In the next half of the third inning, a popfly is hit high in the air towards right fielder Sebastian Velasquez. He tracks the ball and catches the Squriells.
Another ball is thrown up in the same inning, but this time to third baseman Nathan Ishikawa, who records the catch. The Flying Squirells still hold a 3-1 lead at the end of the third round.
At the end of the fourth, a screaming line drive shot is fired at George Maloney, who reacts quickly to catch the ball! He laughs about it with his teammate and plays the big hook again.
Flying Squirells try to stay in the lead
On top of the fifth round, the royal flush, Tristan Russian quickly throws a bat to first base and it’s just in time when the umpire calls him out. The two referees discuss it and the decision initially stands.
At the end of the fifth quarter, the royal flush is still 3-1 behind. Luke Napp is recording a single here that he’s sharing between three Flying Squriell players.
Kyle Wostratzky now throws for the Squirrels and comes into play early by setting up a grounder and throwing Larson out first.
A royal walk-off for the royal flush
Early in the sixth period, the Squirrels try to extend their lead, but it’s Gavin Hundt who snatches the ball up the middle. The royal flush ended up with two minus points at the end of the sixth round.
A sixth-round out, Lucas Kulaga slams one into right field and is yards from a home run. He reaches second base standing and the royal flush has some life.
The next shot is Brady Conway, who manages to reach the base safely after a very high pop fly into the flat outfield. The bishops are now on the corners for the flush.
Wostrazky has been batting well since being substituted, recording a massive strikeout that puts two outs on the scoreboard.
With the season on the line, royal flush home run leader Jayden “Big Smooth” Gamble has runners on the corners. He shoots you over the left field wall with full force and ends the game in style. It’s Gamble’s seventh home run this season, but this is the biggest and one he will always remember.
The royal flush defeats the Flying Squirrels 4-3 as Gamble drove all four heats and the team finishes the season 21-1.
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