Lightning’s Micheal Kelly dives back to first base as Keaton Rogers awaits the throw.
By Jeff Keeling
They had rolled through the regular season in JC American Little League 18-1 and won two playoff games, and the Lightning closed out a dominant season Saturday by winning the City Tournament at the JC National field in Keystone.
After a 16-5 semifinal win shortened to four innings, the team rode a fine pitching performance by Cade Pollock and made the most of just four hits in a 10-2 victory over 2014 city champions the Braves, a JC Major team, in the final. That win came just after the semifinal victory over Spa Glow of JC National.
B.J. Edwards scattered eight hits in the semifinal win, and coach Jim Pollock said the offensive production was led by Pollock (3 for 3), Jaxon Diamond and Edwards, who were each 2 for 3, and Colin Blevins, who hit a monster home run to straight center field.
Spa Glow’s Jayce Birchfield took the loss in the semifinal.
The nightcap was more of a pitcher’s duel. Hard-throwing Braves lefty Dustin Stanton held the Lightning mostly in check through three innings. The score was 2-0 at that point, and Stanton had been left stranded at third after a no-out triple. But Stanton reached his pitch limit with a bases-loaded walk in the fourth that made it 3-0, and Cade Backus, who inherited the difficult situation, gave up two more runs on wild pitches and another score.
The 6-0 lead would hold up, as Pollock breezed through five innings using just 69 pitches and allowing just two hits. The Lightning extended their lead to 10-0 in the top of the sixth. Pollock ran into a bit of trouble in the bottom of the sixth, giving up two runs and reaching his pitch limit, but Jaxon Diamond came on to retire the final two batters and set off the celebration.
Lightning’s Cade Pollock got the win in the championship
Micheal Kelly, left, watches as his throw to first for a possible double play eludes first baseman B.J. Edwards.
Dustin Stanton started for the Braves in the team’s 10-2 loss in the championship.
Teammates await the Lightning’s Colin Blevins after his monster home run to center field against Spa Glow.
Spa Glow’s Khalil Bradley robs a Lightning player of a sure hit with this running grab in center field in the semifinal.
Braves second baseman Austin Denham throws out a Lightning runner early in the championship game.
Jaxon Diamond scores on a wild pitch in the fourth inning as Cade Backus covers home.
Spa Glow third baseman Brent Bell beats a sliding Jaxon Diamond to the bag after a nice stop of a ground ball to get the third out of the inning.
B.J. Edwards, who scattered eight hits, delivers in the semifinal win.
Lightning’s Jaxon Diamond concentrates as he rounds third base in the team’s 16-5 semifinal win over Spa Glow.
Spa Glow second baseman Ricardo Alberto makes a running snag.
Lightning’s B.J. Edwards rips a line drive down the third-base line in the semifinal.
