"I can breathe now.", stated White Sox manager, Barry Craddolph in post game comments. "That's a great season. This is the best group of kids that I've ever dealt with, period. I probably enjoyed this more than they did. Now we just keep this thing movin'. I really appreaciate all the support; all the parents; that's what makes a difference."
Coach Gilliam in his post game address to the team added, "You played hard boys, and I'm proud of you. As we move on to TOC, we are going to need the same kind of effort that you showed tonight. If you attack your at-bats like you did in the 5th inning tonight, we'll make some noise."
Gilliam and Craddolph would later reflect on the 6 year journey at Ladera. Craddolph, along with Braves' dad, Derek Marshall, started with a young Red Sox minor team in 2005 and went 1-19. Gilliam joined the mix in 2006, to no avail, as the team went 2-18. Hard work, perseverance, and 4 years later, the two guided an experienced White Sox team to 20-1-1 record this year. "It's our time!", commented Craddolph.
"Our time, indeed.", added Gilliam.
Braves starting pitcher, Nikelle Galatas, was spectacular on the mound through 4 no hit, shut out innings. He struck out 7 while walking only 2. He benefited from a great double play by Derek Marshall on first base in the 2nd inning when Derek fielded a line drive shot and doubled up the runner at first base. Jalen Johnson also turned in two great catches in center field. Gary McCoy came through with a solid play at short stop with two outs and two on in the bottom of the 3rd to squelch a White Sox rally after a walk to Quentin Collier and a hard ground ball by Jordan Strong.
Nikelle was particularly impressive in the fourth inning when he faced the White Sox "Bash Brothers", Grant, Lawrence, and Jibri. He took Grant and Lawrence to full counts before striking them both out and forced Jibri to fly out to retire the side.
White Sox starting pitcher, Grant Craddolph, was equally impressive for the Sox for the first 3 innings, working to the minimum number of batters and striking out 5. The only blemish in the first three innings was an infield single by Malik Cole in the top of the 3rd inning. Grant bounced back and helped himself with his glove by initiating a 1-6-3 double play to end the threat.
In the top of the 4th, the Braves capitalized on 3 walks, 2 wild pitches, and a base hit to break the scoreless tie. Jalen Johnson got the rally started with a walk and a stolen base. With Aaron Greenfield at bat, Jalen moved to third and then scored on consecutive wild pitches. Aaron and Derek Marshall followed with walks to set the stage for Chris Henry who sent a seeing eye single just past Kelvin Murillo at second base to score Aaron and Derek and give the Braves a 3-0 lead.
Fighting momentum and a 3-0 deficit, White Sox catcher, Robert Togia, came through with a clutch single down the right field line to breathe life into the Sox. Coach Craddolph called on the speedy Alonzo Billips to run for Robert who headed to the bullpen to warm up. Veteran outfielder, Nathan Moore, drew a six pitch walk to place runners at first and second base. Nikelle dug deep to strike out the next batter, stage for second baseman Kelvin Murillo. Kelvin calmly stroked a clutch line drive single to left field to score Alonzo and Nathan. Mathew Hamilton continued the rally with a well hit line drive the center field to move Kelvin to third base. Devin Martin almost came up huge when he launched a hard line drive that was caught for the second out of the inning.
The Braves went to the bullpen and called on the hard throwing Derek Marshall to relieve Nikelle. With runners at second and third, Grant Craddolph sent a towering fly ball to left field that just fell past the out-stretched hands of Gary McCoy. Kelvin and Mathew scored on the play to give the White Sox a 4-3 lead. Grant made it to third base on the play. Team batting leader, Lawrence Gilliam (.569 BA, 6HR), stepped to plate and took an 0-2 breaking ball to left field for an RBI single. Jibri Walden continued the rally with a line drive to left-center field but was cut down attempting to take second base on the hit. The 5 run rally gave the Sox a 5-3 lead.
The resilient Braves refused to go quietly in the top of the sixth. After 2 ground ball outs, Derek Marshall kept the Braves alive with a ground ball single to right field. The White Sox went to the pen and called on Robert Togia to replace Grant who reached the 85 pitch limit. Chris Henry worked out a walk and represented the tying run on first base. Robert dug deep and forced a ground ball out to close the game and earn the save.
Victory celebration video can be found here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Md0Q-7l3ms
Hats off the the Braves and the White Sox for a well played Championship Game. The Sox will move on to the District 25 Tournament of Champions Tournament and face University Little League at Culver Marina park this Saturday at 3PM.
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Ladera Little League White Sox
2010 Major Division Standings
http://LaderaWhiteSox.blogspot.com - Blog
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http://LaderaWhiteSox.blogspot.com - Blog
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