Week 2 Highlights and Recap: Koa Bats are Hot!

The Homers played the first game of their doubleheader against the high-scoring Baseball Factory squad. The game was tight through the middle innings with Alex C. (Homers) pounding the strike zone early and often. Baseball Factory was able to pull away late in this one, but the Homers were clawing their way back in the late innings.

Next Week: Homers vs Bombers; Baseball Factory vs Launchers (Gm 1) Baseball Factory vs Crushers (Gm 2)

The Mashers continue their impressive run with their 3rd straight victory to start the season. Andrew D. (Mashers) did not let the early start-time phase him as he delivered homeruns #2 and #3 of the season (2-3, 2HR).  The Crushers had contributions from Isaac N. with his glove in the outfield and his smooth swing at the plate. We are looking forward to a rematch between these two powerhouses!

Next Week: Mashers vs Sluggers; Crushers vs Baseball Factory

 Homers (0-2-1) vs Launchers (0-1-1)

In the Game 2 of their doubleheader, the Homers impressively bounced back with a tie against the Launchers. Aitan Y. (Homers), who injured his wrist in Game 1, showed tremendous heart as he ripped a huge double for his team Game 2. In a tie game in the late innings, the Launchers called on Connor G. to take the mound with bases loaded… and Connor closed this one out without allowing a runner to score! An exciting game until the last out, both teams were extremely pleased with their effort.

Next Week: Homers vs Bombers; Launchers vs Baseball Factory

In the final game on Saturday, the Bombers used their strong week at practice to notch their first win of the season. Jack K (Bombers) started off with a base knock, and the team never looked back to eventually score 10 runs. The Sluggers have a lot to build on after this one. Jacob G. (Sluggers) was an on-base machine and made his presence known on the base paths (2 SB). As the team continues to improve their baseball IQ, the Sluggers will be very dangerous heading into October.

Next Week: Bombers vs Homers; Sluggers vs Mashers

In the first game of BABL AA action, the Splitters brought their PF-Flyers to the field, swiping 18 bases as a team with Jonah S., Ben G., and Luca P. leading the way. The Curveballs offense was equally impressive, with CJ N. lighting up the diamond with 3 hits, including a double and homerun. They say your first hit of the season is always the hardest… but not for Alex V. (Curveballs) who hit a BOMB for his first homerun (and hit) of the season.

Next Week: Splitters vs Sliders; Curveballs vs Changeups

To notch their first win of the season, the Fastballs relied on a dominating performance from young pitcher Will G, who notched his first complete game of his career. The rest of the Fastballs followed him, as they threw up 16 unanswered runs after being down 4-2 early. The Curveballs flashed signs of dominance, and they will look to put it all together in next weekend’s games.

Next Week: Fastballs vs Screwballs; Curveballs vs Changeups

The Screwballs showed off their depth and skill in one of the most impressive performances of the young season. Every Screwball tallied a hit, and the team did not commit an error in the field. Bobby B. (Screwballs) put the cherry on top with a top-of-the-rotation quality start (3.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 7 K). The Sliders are excited about the emergence of George B., who impressed during his work on the mound (2.2 IP, 1 ER, 4 K).

Next Week: Screwballs vs Fastballs; Sliders vs Farmers (Gm 1),  Sliders vs Splitters (Gm 2)

In a battle of 1-0 teams, the Changeups and Farmers played a close one until the middle innings, but the Changeups were able to break it open with a 5-run 3rd inning. For the Changeups, Ben C. got the offense rolling with a big day (2-4, 1 HR, 3 RBI) while his teammate Cody P. did his job on the mound against a high-octane Farmers team. Ian M. (Farmers) had two big knocks as he continues to impress in the fall. We couldn’t have asked for a better game in the 4 o-clock primetime matchup.

Next Week: Changeups vs Curveballs; Farmers vs Sliders

Have a day, young man! Jay S. (Dingers) highlighted the doubleheader sweep by going 7-7 with 5 RBI’s. He leads a very talented Dingers team that has been rolling through the first three games of the season. Although they did not come out with the victory, the Blasters are a team focused on the process rather than the result. The team grinded out quality at-bats and were always looking to take the extra base. They look to put it all together heading into next weekend.

Next Week: Dingers vs Slammers (Doubleheader); Blasters vs Wreckers (Doubleheader)

In this matchup between two offensive juggernauts, the Slammers and Wreckers split the doubleheader shootout. The Slammers had contributions from the entire lineup to put up 13 runs in Game 1. Austin S. (Wreckers) chipped in with a huge 2 RBI triple to put his team on top in Game 2. It will be exciting to see if both teams can stay hot at the plate

 Wreckers players chatting in the dugout during their Saturday doubleheader at Walt Whitman High School

The 10U Green Wave tallied their first win of the season in a well-played game against the Bulldogs. The back-end of the bullpen cemented the win with Adrian G. and Shane M. pitching a strong 3 innings combined in relief. Down early in Game 2, 10U battled back to make it a close game in the late innings with Mason R. stealing home.  Look out for the 10U squad as they are beginning to catch fire.

Next Week: 10U vs Arlington Arsenal, 10U vs Chantilly Raiders

How tough is this 11U team? How about two late-inning, comebacks to earn the Sunday sweep! In Game 1, with two outs, last inning, winning run on third, newcomer Harry R. stepped up to the plate. He turns on an inside fastball down the line to win the game for 11U! If that wasn’t enough, 11U battled from 6 runs down in the third inning to win Game 2 9-6. Wells T. did a masterful job out of the bullpen to keep his team in the game (3.1 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 7 K). What a weekend for the 11U Green Wave!

Next Week: 11U vs DC Dynasty, 11U vs Herndon Hawks

Baseball is a game of inches. No team can attest to that more than the 12U Green Wave. With an early lead in both games of the doubleheader, 12U was not able to shut the door on a couple big innings from the highly-talented SYA Mets. Andrew P. and Miles K. continue to lead their team with strong offensive days at the plate. A team that is still hungry, 12U will not let their record effect them as they continue NVTBL play.

Next Week: 12U vs Potomac Riverdogs (doubleheader)

Stay hot, team! The 13U Green Wave continue to roll with a sweep against the Fairfax Royals on Sunday. Zack M. was an RBI Machine, driving in 5 runs on the day. The bats stayed hot in Game 2, as 13U entered the sixth inning down by one and finished up by two. Keep your eye on this 13U squad.

Next Week: 13U vs Burke Bulldogs (doubleheader)

After last weekend’s sweep of Dig In, the 14U East Green Wave ran into a loaded Stars team. After falling behind early in Game 1, 14U East wasn’t able to close the gap behind a strong offensive performance from Matt D. The Green Wave responded well in Game 2, jumping off to a 6-0 lead with the help from Zack Z. (3-4, 1 R). Although they weren’t able to hold the lead, Coach Howard was very pleased with his team’s effort on Sunday.

Next Week: 14U East vs REPLAY Rangers (doubleheader)

Get your brooms out! The 14U West team finished off a big-time sweep against the rival Aces this past weekend. After putting up 4 runs in the first inning of Game 1, 14U West never looked back with a strong performance on the mound from Ben D. (5.2 IP, 5 H, 2 ER). Much of the same in Game 2, as 14U West won in a shootout with multi-hit days for Ben D., Ben F., and Bryan S. 14U West is starting to get HOT.

Next Week: 14U West vs Manassas Militia (doubleheader)

With a team short on players, the High School JV team dug their heels in against a tough Bradley Eagles squad. With another impressive pitching outing from Tyler C., the team has a lot to be excited about. With some more timely hits, the JV team could have broken through on Sunday. They will look for a bounce back next weekend.

Next Week: High School JV vs BC Stars (doubleheader)

HUGE offensive day for the oldest team in Koa Travel. The team cashed in on 5 homers, including 1 grand slam! Andre L. led the way mashing 2 homeruns on the day. Now having played together for a few weeks, the Koa Varsity team is starting to gel. Keep the hit parade going!

Next Week: High School Varsity vs DC Moose

Travel League

Koa Travel	W/L
10U	1-3
11U	3-1
12U	1-7
13U	3-1
14U East	2-2
14U West	3-1
High School JV	0-4
High School Varsity	2-2

BABL