Meridian defeats Davenport in extra innings 5-4 In Babe Ruth World Series
Davenport and Meridian entered the nightcap session of day 3 at the Babe Ruth 13-year-old World Series both searching for their first win. Both teams committed costly errors, but Meridian would earn the win 5-4 on a walk off single by Layton Jenkins.
In the 3rd inning, Davenport was the beneficiary of two errors as they scored two runs off a botched double play attempt. 2 batters later an infield single by Cody Depardo made it 3-0 Davenport. Meridian would tack on a run after a liner by Travis Boswell found its way off the outstretched glove of Depardo to score Brock Butler from third. Davenport would respond after a soft grounder by Jacob Struss would allow Nate Canfield to score making it 4-1 Davenport. The game was far from over.
Meridian would show signs of life in the bottom half of the 6th inning. Brock Butler would double down the right field line, scoring a run making it 4-2. A few batters later, Travis Boswell hit a hard chopper to Cody Depardo that slipped past his glove and into the outfield. 2 runs came around to score and tie the game. Meridian had new life. In the bottom of the 7th, Meridian had the winning run on 3rd with 1 out but Davenport was able to escape with a great catch in center field by Owen Steiger and then a groundout by Meridian’s Will Swift.
In extra innings, Meridian had another chance to go home victorious. Brock Butler was aboard at 2nd and following a single by Zane Pritchard, Meridian head coach Steve Nelson waved Butler to the plate where he was gunned down on a perfect throw by Davenport’s Owen Steiger. The game continued on. In the bottom of the 9th with James Rowcliffe on 2nd, Meridian’s Layton Jenkins poked a single back to the left field fence and Meridian notched their first win of the tournament. For Meridian, it was jubilation, for Davenport frustration and anger.
Players of the Game: Meridian: Brooks Buchanan , Davenport: Owen Steiger
NEXT UP:
Davenport (0-3) will play Spokane (1-1) on Sunday at 2:30
Meridian (1-1) faces Sarasota (1-1) on Sunday at 2:30
Meridian Second Baseman JJ Rowcliff makes the throw in the first inning.
Meridian Second Baseman JJ Rowcliff makes the throw in the first inning.
Davenport third baseman Keiran O’Brien starts a double play.
