Game Blog

Hi Titans Fans!
NW Titans Win Pepsi Olympia Challenge Tournament!
What a great couple of weekends for the Titans. Starting with a big tournament win in Olympia. It's just too bad that we can't seem to get together with Pepsi! The Titans had a good draw allowing the coaches to be selective with pitching and conserve arms as well. The first game against Mudville BHC, a team the Titans had not seen since April 2007, had an uneasy feeling for the first two innings as neither the Titans nor the Muddies could score. Conner started and threw a spectacular game. Allowing no runs, on (2) hits over six innings with (5) K's as he dominated the Mudville line up. The Titans took their sweet time in getting the bats warmed up. They came alive in the third inning with (3) runs. Blake led off with a single, Matt walked, Jake sacrificed safety, squeezed Blake home and then Ryan blasted a two-run homer over the left field fence. (1) more in the fourth when Sean blasted one over the center field fence. (4) more in the sixth to close it out as Ryan started off the inning with his second home run of the game over the left center field fence, singles from Jeff and Nick, walks from JoJo and Anthony and a two RBI double from Blake ended the game. Titans 8 - Mudville BHC 0.
The second game was a little different as it seemed the boys were more focused as they faced a strong Performers team. Four singles (Ryan, Jeff, Anthony, & Sean) and a walk brought in (3) runs in the first. Ryan took the mound and shut them down for three innings with no runs and no hits the only base runners came from (2) walks. The Titans meanwhile played a little add-on (1) in the third, from Nick’s double and Sean's single, and (2) in the fourth (2) walks and Jeff's two-RBI single. Meanwhile the pitchers were cruising. Anthony came out and shut down there 1,2 and 3 hitters 1,2,3! Things got a little hairy for him in the fifth as the control left his arm as (2) walks and (3) straight hits brought Jeff to the mound. Jeff managed to shut them down but only after he gave up (2) hits and they had scored (5)...it was very tight! Titans 6, Performers 5. Jeff came out in the sixth and shut them down allowing only a walk. Time ran out before we could start a seventh inning. That was the good news...the bad news the boys looked a little tired. Titans win 6- 5.
The third game of the day started at 7:25 PM against the Narrows BBC- a team the Titans had taken care of three weeks earlier. Blake had thrown a 63-pitch, two-hitter at them so he seemed like the man for the job again. And he was. Even with (2) Titans errors in the first he shut them down, one error in the second and a hit allowed (1) un-earned run to score, (2) more Titans errors in the third and again Blake kept his composure and shut them down. Two more Titans errors and another hit (their last) allowed the second run to score. Two more errors in the fifth and Blake did it again. Blake had essentially thrown 23 outs in five innings- a great performance. Nick closed out the game facing only (3) batters. I mentioned earlier that the Titans seemed a little tired...well it showed as they struggled to put runs up early. (1) in the first on (2) singles from Jeff and Anthony. (1) in the second from Blake's single and Matts double. Nothing in the third. (1) in the fourth as Jake walked, Anthony singled and Sean doubled. (3) in the fifth as Matt walked, Stephen doubled, Jake walked Dallas got on, Ryan singled and Jeff singled. (2) more in the sixth to close out the game as Anthony walked and Sean doubled and then scored to end the game. Titans 8 - Narrows 2. The Titans get to sleep in as they are the #2 seed after pool play.
The Titans show up the next morning to find none other than the Warriors waiting to play the semi-final game. Dylan started and although allowing several base runners every inning, shut them down until the fourth when the Warriors scored (2) runs on a hit-by-pitch, a base-on-balls and two errors. It would be their only two runs. Dylan came out in the fifth and shut them down again. Over five innings he gave up only (2) unearned runs on (3) hits, (5) bases on balls and K'd (4). Meanwhile the Titans were struggling to score. Again the Warrior pitching was effective. Giving up (4) hits (three singles Jeff 2 and Blake 1, and a double from Sean) leaving a total of (7) batters stranded through four innings. Finally the Titans break through in the Fifth...an error by the short stop allows Jake first base, a single by Ryan and a clutch two-out single from Conner scores them both. (2) more in the sixth. Another error opens the door as Blake gets first base, JoJo sacrifices him to second, Matt walks and Jake squeeze bunts Blake him home for the lead Matt scores. Titans lead 4-2. Jeff came in and closed the door going 1,2,3 in both the 6th and the 7th innings. Titans win 4-2 over the Warriors and advance to the Championship against the #1 seed Seattle Select Purple in what was the rubber match of this young season, having beaten them once and losing once in an epic eight inning battle two weeks earlier in the Monroe tournament.
It was a warm afternoon...the Titans dressed in their sleeveless white jerseys came out fired up. Jeff singled in the first but was put out in a 5-5-3 double play. Nick started the game off with a quick 1,2,3. The Titans came out in the second and filled it up scoring (3) runs with two-outs as Stephen walked, JoJo singled, Nick singled scoring Matt who was running for Stephen, and then Dallas's two-RBI single put a damper on Purples day. But it is not easy to keep a good team down and Purple came out firing- scoring (3) of their own in the second. After a K and (2) walks a single, a fielders choice and an error, they had tied the game at 3. The Titans came back and scored (2) in the third off three consecutive singles (Jeff, Dylan, and Anthony) along with two walks. Purple was shout down 1,2,3 in the third and 1,2,3 in the fourth after Anthony threw out the first batter who had walked when he tried to steal second and Nick k'd the next two batters. The Titans added (2) more in the fourth. Ryan walked, Jeff doubled for his 11th hit of the tournament, Dylan was hit by a pitch, and Sean and Blake singled. 7-3 Titans...two innings to go. Nick gave up (2) runs in the fifth...on two hits and base on balls...but was able to close the door and hand the ball over to Jeff for his third closing appearance of the tournament. Jeff was near perfect for the tournament and near perfect in the last inning as Purple managed one hit and then was shut down The game was called due to time, an unusual but welcome call for the Titans as they defeated Seattle Select Purple 7-5 for their third championship of the year!

Tough Series of League Play
It has been a rough couple of weeks and I'm suffering from writer’s block as I'm not too familiar with words like lost or beaten. The Titans have gone from the top of the league to upper-middle. Having lost 4 of the last 6 league games. Hopefully that is now behind them as they move forward. It started out with a 6pm weekday start against the Warriors at their home field in Snohomish. Not to make excuses, but we were short a few players. Band Concerts, Jr. High Games and a Track Meet left us a little under-manned for this rivalry game. With both teams coming in at the top of the league, you knew it was going to be a battle. It ended up being an epic battle of nine full innings. The Warriors played strong and the Titans answered every blow with one of their own. The Titans started of well with (1) in the first a Blake single a wild pitch, base on balls, and a sacrifice fly from Anthony. The bats were quiet over the next three innings as the Titans only managed (4) singles (Blake, Dylan, Jake & Sean) none of them close enough to score anyone. At the end of the 4th we had left (5) men stranded on base. JoJo started the game and pitched well, mixing things up like he does and shutting them down in the 1st & 2nd allowing only (1) hit. Then in the third (4) base hits and (2) errors netted the Warriors (3) runs. JoJo stayed on the mound and battled. In the 4th he came out and put them down 1,2,3 on (4) pitches. The Titans came out and got a couple of their own in the fifth. The door was opened with an error and Blake slammed it with a blast to center field tying the game 3-3. The Warriors came back in the 5th and took advantage of another error and (2) hits to score another run. The Titans went down 1,2,3 in the sixth and the Warriors managed a hit but no runs. 4-3 Warriors after six. The Titans needed a run in the top of the seventh to keep the game going. Sean walks, Jake singles on a bunt, Matt sacrifices them to second & thrid. Sean gets put out at home on a squeeze bunt attempt that didn't get far enough away from home. But Nick comes through with the base hit, run scores. We head to the bottom of the seventh. Dylan steps in to pitch on a 3-2 count the first batter doubles deep to right, but Dylan gets the next three in a row with (2) K's. In the 8th the Titans manage (2) singles Anthony starts off. And Sean gets caught stealing, right after that Stephen gets a single, but he is left on the bases. Dylan comes out and K's one, Walks one (picks him off0 and K's the last guy. Inning #9- by this time it is getting dark and the umpire tells us halfway through the inning this will be the last inning. Benham starts it off with a single, but is left stranded on second after a stolen base. The Warriors come out and Dylan gets the first guy to fly out. He walks the next (2) and a short line drive to left field allows the runner to score. Tough game. Titans lose 5-4 in nine innings.
Two days later at Marymoor #1 a 9-1 Kent Bulldogs Blue Team meets the Titans. Nick is scheduled to pitch, but Burt was sent to the hospital the night before with un-diagnosed chest pain. Nick says he still want to go. The coaches let him go. It turned out to be the wrong choice as he was not able to focus on the game and the Bulldogs came to play scoring (3) runs on (4) hits and a (BB). Sean came out in the second and either walked them or K'd them- facing six batters and allowing no score. In the third, Sean looked a little spent. He gave up a hit then went back to his pattern- a K and a walk. But something wasn't right and he left the game with arm soreness. Conner came in after being off from a knee injury and battled giving up a couple of hits but after Matty caught one stealing Conner got out of the inning. But (3) runs had scored. It was 6-0 Bulldogs. The Titans came out in the third and battled loading the bases with a couple of hits from Ryan and Jeff and a walk from Anthony...then Sean unloaded them with a Grand Slam over the center field fence! There was hope again. 6-4 Bulldogs after three. Conner came out for the fourth inning but after (2) runs on (3) hits and a walk he was replaced by Anthony. Anthony K'd the next (2) guys and (6) of the next nine outs were K's as his curve ball was un-hittable! In three and two-thirds of an inning gave up only (1) run and struck out (8). But that (1) run gave them a total of (9) runs. The Titans went down swinging at the soft left hander from the Bulldogs with little production in the 4th, 5th or 6th innings...just a single from Blake. The boys again showed that they had no quit! Two singles (Stephen & Ryan) and two bases on balls left the Titans down by (4) with the bases loaded and one-out. With Dylan and Anthony coming up the optimism was good...Dylan just missed a 1-2 pitch that went high in the sky and was gobbled up by the second baseman as the blue shouted infield fly batters out! Anthony was up with the game on the line...having on of his best pitching performances ever...feeling good...we crossed our finger, toes and every other appendage...put on our rally caps and watched him drive the first pitch fast ball deep to the warning track in left field. Game over! Titans lose 9-5.
We had to follow this with a game at noon at Moisher Field #1 in Burien against the Brewers Blue...another very good team 10-1 at the top of the league! Titans got off to a good start as Nick singled, worked his way around the bases and scored on Anthony's single. Jeff started and pitched great a quick single from the lead off batter then two quick outs...a hit by pitch, and a single scores (1) run, a base on balls and here we are again with the bases loaded for the other guys in the first...one run in...looks like trouble...but Jeff gets them to ground out to 2nd. 1-1 after one! Neither team did much in the second as the pitchers dueled for supremacy. In the Titans woke up in the third with a single from Jeff a sacrifice from Jake and a single from Ryan scored (1). The Brewers answered in the fourth with a single, base on balls, fielder's choice and a perfectly executed squeeze bunt. 2-2 after four! The Titans were unable to get any thing in the 4th, 5th, or 6th innings. The Brewers on the other hand put together three singles and scored (1) in the sixth. Dylan lead off the 7th with a blast that looked like it might tie the game, but it was hit to the deepest part of the park and bounced off the wall for a double. That was the good news. The bad news- he was stranded there! Titans lose again first time ever...three in a row for league play! 3-2 Brewers win. The bad news is we lost to three very good teams in a row. The good news is the games were all within reach and came down to the last pitch, every one of them! Again no quit from the Titans even in the toughest situations.
The following weekend would be better even if it held two more top teams. First off Saturday morning after a very rainy Friday night, a late night trip to field by me..to sweep away the puddles, the Titans got to face the Seattle Strike Zone Reds at noon at Marymoor #2...now somewhat dry! Nick got back up on the horse and pitched great! Allowing only (1) run on (3) hits with (10) K's. Facing only (4) batters over the minimum. Former Titan Jake Levin started for the Reds and pitched well- hitting (3) batters, walking (3) batters and only gave up (4) hits, problem is (2) were home runs (Jeff & Sean). Nick had a double and Anthony a single, but it was enough as Nick pitched great! Titans win 6-1...finally!
The joy was short lived as three hours later after a full team of parents worked on the field at Big Finn Hill #4 we faced off against the Auburn Mud Dogs. Another top team at 9-1 in league. They came to play and the Titans came to watch or so it seemed. Jeff started the game and from the start you knew it was going to be tough as the blue’s strike zone was "pea like" and that was being kind. The lead-off man doubled and after a sacrifice fly from their 5th man, they had (1) run. The Titans managed to go 1,2,3 in the first. The second is where the wheels came off. A fly-out to center was a good start, but then (2) bases on balls, a hit-by-pitch and (2) consecutive hits, a ground out to short, and another hit- Jeff needed a reprieve. With no one warm, JoJo came in and found that the other blue thought that a pause was longer than a second and called two consecutive balks. Another single and finally a ground ball back to the mound! WOW! 8-0 Mud Dogs. The Titans went 1,2,3 in the second as their pitchers got stronger with eight runs in his pocket- most good ones do. JoJo came out and scattered several hits...mixed in with (2) pick-offs, a couple players caught stealing, a few fly balls and they scored only (1) more. Problem is they didn't even come close to needing that one! The Titan bats were quiet throughout the game, managing only (3) hits. Jeff's aforementioned single, Matt's double and Anthony's single. Matt did score as his double was the lead off in the third, but their guy looked great! Good game Mud Dogs! Titans lose 9-1. There was one game left to redeem themselves for the weekend.
The 9-2 Stod's Sting Team was waiting at Big Fin Hill #4 the next day. A 1PM start time, no rain, and actually a little sunshine greeted the teams. Dylan started the game and looked great, besides walking the first batter, then picking him off, he faced the minimum through four and had a no-hitter going. He did end up relinquishing (1) run in the fifth as he walked one and (2) hits delivered the run. They would be the only hits and the only run for Stod's, as Dylan man-handled their line up...with (5) K's. The only question now was could the Titan bats come alive and do their job? The answer- YES! and No! The yes part...Ryan takes the first pitch from their guy and slams it on a line over the left field fence. The 9th Titan to blast a home run this season. Only 4 to go. In the second inning Sean added to his home run total with a blast to right center, his second of the weekend. In the 4th Dylan doubled and scored on Nick's single, the only other hit was Dylan's single in the first. Five hits...only five hits. That was all they needed...Titans win 3-1. Good weekend of baseball.

NWTitans Finish 5th in Triple Crown Memorial Day Tournament
All's well that starts well...is that how it goes...opps! All's well that ends well! In the Titans case The Triple Crown Memorial Day Weekend Tournament was not well. The Titans dropped two out five to finish in a tie for fifth place, not bad out of 24, but not up to their expectations. It started on a sunny Saturday morning. Even though the weatherman had called for rain it was beautiful all day long! The first opponent was a tough team out of Mount Vernon, a team we knew nothing about. But knowing it is not a good idea to take anyone lightly we started one of our aces. We won the toss and Jeff took the mound. An unusual lead off base on balls and two straight hits told the Titans they had better come to play! Only (1) run scored in the first as Anthony and Dylan worked a perfect play to catch the first runner trying to steal home. The second runner scored on the second hit, a fielder's choice and an F-8 got him out of the inning. The Titans threatened in the first, but a base running error, a fielders choice and a K, kept the Titans from scoring even after Nick led off with a single and Anthony hit a double. Jeff settled down and pitched a beauty- giving up only (2) more hits and (1) walk. Everyone else was retired...(6) K's including three in the fourth, (7) fly outs and (2) ground-outs. The Titans were held scoreless until the fourth inning when they busted out the sticks. Dylan, and Anthony hit back to back home runs and Blake followed with one of his own three batters later! They manufactured (1) more in the fifth with a base on balls and two singles from Nick and Jeff. Nothing in the sixth but there was no need. Titans over the 2007 Babe Ruth State Champion Mount Vernon Bulldogs 4-1. Good thing the Titans decided to bring their game! Next came the Bellevue Wolverines, a team and a pitcher that had shut out the Titans 2-0 just 13 days earlier. JoJo started the game and shut them down 1,2,3 with (8) pitches...a good start. The Titans came out a little tenuous and tight knowing this pitcher had shut them down just two weekends ago. A K to start put another knot in our tummy's. Then Ryan singled, Dylan got hit by a pitch, another K and then the big hit to break it open and relieve the tension. Sean singled scoring both Ryan and Dylan and Blake decided to put an exclamation point on the inning with his second home run of the day! 4-0 Titans after one. JoJo continued to baffle the Wolverines and after four innings he had not yet given up a hit with the only base runners coming from an error and a base on balls. The Titans were to face a new pitcher as their coach decided the first one should be saved for another game. A single (Jake) and two sacrifice bunts yielded nothing in the second. But good baseball play netted the Titans five more in the third...a walk, a single (Sean), a walk, a sacrifice fly (Matt - who else?) another walk and three consecutive hits did the damage. Jake's ground rule double over the fence, Dallas (single) and Nick (single). (1) more in the fourth as Dylan led off with a double, scoring on Sean's third single of the day! JoJo came out in the fifth with the no-hit shut-out intact only to see it all go away a base on balls, a single, a sacrifice bunt, and a couple of errors...ended the no-hit bid and the shut out. 10-3 Titans. He came out in the sixth and put them down 1,2,3. All the Titans needed was one run to end the game early. Dylan came up and on a 2-0 count blasted a low outside pitch over the center field fence. Game over on Dylan's second home run of the day! He started the scoring for the day with a home run and ended the same way! Titans win 11-3. The next morning the Titans faced the Woodinville BBC, a team that even though they had just been beaten 15-0 by Pepsi the night before, they had their ace on the mound, were 1-1 and feeling very fiesty! The Titans had some good chances early as Dylan took the mound and went 1, walk pick him off, 3 in the first and 1,2, 3 in the second, using only (21) pitches. The Titans started with a base on balls, and a ground rule double from Jeff that would have been a home run on any other field...that is when teh winds started to change. Shea Donlin the Woodinville pitcher tightened up and K'd three of the next four batters...ending the threat. A base hit and a sacrifice bunt gets two on in the second...but again he toughens up and allows no runs. Missed opportunities the common theme of Titans losses. In the third Blake came four base hits and costly error along with a hit by pitch an a walk yielded WBBC a (5) spot as their speed and aggressive base running took the Titans by surprise, Benham came in and finished the inning and pitched the fourth allowing no runs. The Titans battled and scored (1) in the bottom of the third off of singles from Dylan and Stephen, (1) in the fourth off of a single from Dallas with a couple of bases on balls, and (1) in the fifth off of an error and a couple of walks...but that was all they could manage...as they left (11) men on base. Garner came into the game in the fifth allowing two runs. Final score WBBC 7 Titans 3. It looked very gloomy for the Titans they would need to beat the Eastlake Tigers by at least (7) runs and they would need some help from other teams if they were to make it to the Championship round...a feat they had yet to miss all season long...making it to the championship round in four straight tournaments. First thing at hand the Eastlake Tigers a very solid team from the Cascade division. Coach Jeff decided he would burn his number 1 pitcher to try and win the game. It turned out to be a great choice as Dylan started and threw a no hit perfect game at the Tigers through four innings, with (7) K's, (4) ground outs and (2) fly outs. Meanwhile the titans were putting on an offensive display starting the game off with four straight singles Nick, Jeff, Dylan and Anthony...scoring (3), they were shut down in the second other than Benham's single. But the bats returned in the third Dylan doubled, Stephen singled, Dallas singled, Blake doubled, JoJo doubled and before you could say Willie Mays...it was 7-0 the score they needed...they were held scoreless in the fourth even though Ryan and Jeff singled. In the fifth they scored (1) more on a hit by pitch (Jake) was advanced by Dallas's single and JoJo drove him in with a single. The score was 8-0 all they needed was three outs and they would have done their part. But as you know that has not been the way it has worked with the Titans this year...so...a lead off double, a walk, a K, a single, another double, a 4-3, and a K and it is now 8-3 a five run lead...probably not going to get you to the championship round! But the Titans answer with a big inning of their own...Dallas doubles, Blake singles, JoJo walks, Sean singles, Nick singles, Dylan gets on base with a fielders choice, Anthony and Jake single...(5) runs come across the plate. 13-3 Titans. Again all we need is three outs and it is over...again it is not that easy...the Tigers continue to battle and fight the whole way! Nick comes in to close his second game in a row. The Tigers had another idea...he hits the first batter, K's the next, one down, two to go, the next guy triples, no big deal one out one in...we still have a great cushion, he hits the next two guys to load them up...okay I now have a small panic attack...breath deep! Coach Jeff goes out to the mound...says something...Nick then settles down and finishes the game. Titans win 13-5, and (8) run victory! It was one of their most prolific offensive out puts with 13 runs and 20 hits! But would it be enough? Shortly after the game was over Don Catrow, our resident CPA, came over and said, "I think were in." I, of course, wanted proof. So Don and I went over to the scoreboard and started eliminating teams. When we were done the Titans had pulled it off over the Seattle Stars by (2) runs...see there was no need to panic! The Titans would play the Seattle Select Purple team...a great team that always played us tough. Monday morning came and we were glad to be playing...a nice day a very slight rain drop here and there but really a nice morning. And it started off well for the sixth seed Titans when they rallied with two outs to score (2) in the first off of a base on balls (they'll always get you), a double from Anthony and a single from Sean. Anthony started on the getting the first two batters walking the second one but he was caught stealing as Dylan threw him out at second. Then they had a two out rally...three straight hits and 6-3 ended the inning. Tied 2-2! That was all the scoring that would go on for quite some time...as the Purple pitchers had a great day...giving up only (4) hits, striking out (11) including (5) looking. The remainder of the game was an incredible dual as many pitchers and both teams made the plays they had to...to stay in the game. Anthony went five innings scattering five hits, Jeff came in and shut them down in the sixth after giving up one hit, Dylan came in for the seventh inning...and as it does sometimes in baseball the ball got away from him and the batter Nate Backes couldn't get away from the ball. It was a sickening sound as the ball hit his face...Nate lay on the ground as the coaches rushed, fans prayed and offered help. The fire department was called and Nate was taken off on a stretcher. We later (three days later found out that Nate would be okay and his return to baseball was eminent) what an answer to prayer. But as baseball does the game goes on Dylan shuts them down in the seventh after loading the bases with an intentional base on balls. 2-2 after the seventh...left us with a California tie breaker. JoJo started on second, he was quickly replaced by Conner to run...but it didn't matter as he ended up never leaving the base as the side was struck out! Nick came in to close or hopefully extend the game...their #4 hitter started on second, a quick ground ball to second and he advanced to third...the next batter singled up the middle on a high outside pitch to win the game...the Titans runs was over...Seattle Select Purple had defeated the Titans 3-2. Although not their best finish this was a very good tournament as again the boys showed great determination and toughness in the face of adversity. And as always played with great class and sportsmanship!

NW Titans Win 15U Ellensburg Blue Rocks Tournament
The boys traveled over the mountains for their first attempt at playing up a level. Mountains and the elevation might have been high, but the boys were flat. We talked about it as coaches and even talked to the boys about it, but to no avail...they continued to be FLAT! Their inability to get up for the first game provided the Titans with their second worse loss in the short two year history. Some might say their worst loss as the other loss came at the hands of NorCal, a team ranked 6th in the country at that time.
The Mudville Pinnacle Team came out and handed it to the Titans...10-0. Not much good to speak of from this game except it woke the boys up!
Our second game against the Woodinville Falcons, Dallas Kramer and Jeff Wyner's old team. The boys came out and took a quick 1-0 lead as Nick singled, stole two bases and scored on Dylan's sacrifice fly. From there both teams were held scoreless until the 4th. Nick threw the first two and Dallas the third holding the Falcons scoreless. In the 4th their bats awakened...scoring (4) on three hits and an error. Benham eventually came in and closed the door allowing (1) more in the 5th...but shutting them down. The top of the 6th...the score is 5-1 Falcons...their pitching to that point had been very good, but then a walk to Blake, Dylan is hit by a pitch, Anthony doubles, a walk to Jeff, Matt sacrifices Jake singles after Anthony steals home on a missed Sacrifice bunt, its 5-5, JoJo comes to the plate and lines a double to the left-center field fence and the Titans are up 6-5. Dylan came in for the 6th and shut them down...just three more outs...a single and a base on balls make it interesting, but Dylan bears down, coach Jeff calls time and tells the boys our play will be at third on the sacrifice bunt. That's exactly what happens. Dylan fields the bunt and throws him out at third. A fly ball to right and a K to end the game. The Titans are 1-1 heading into Sunday play.
Sunday morning comes very early with an 8:00 AM start against the River City Rascals. Its a slow start for the Titan bats but eventually in the 4th they wake up. (2) Runs off an error, HP, BB, and a single from JoJo and a sacrifice fly from Matt. (5) more in the 5th as Sean, Dallas, Nick and Blake all reach base loading them up with one in and Dylan breaks out the wood bat and sends a line shot over the right fielders head for a Grand Slam! (2) More in the 6th as Ryan doubles and Sean drives him in with a single! But that is not the story of the game...it was the pitching! Conner started facing only seven batters, no hits, no runs, (2) BB and (1) left on base, using only 21 pitches. Anthony joined in the fun with two innings pitched facing the minimum six batters, no hits, no runs, (1) BB and (2) K's with 24 pitches, Ryan cam on to finish the game pitching to seven batters in two innings, no runs, (1) hit, no BB with (2) K's on 23 pitches. What a dominating performance by three very effective Titans, Nice work! Titans win 9-0 and advance to the finals by way of a 11-1 Falcon victory over the Mudville Pinnacle.
The Titans go down 1-2-3 in the first. Nick takes the mound little did we know he would be one of six titans to pitch that game. The Falcons come out and take a quick (2) run lead from a base on balls and two quick hits. Nick settles down and gets the next three batters 1-2-3. In the second the Titans come alive...scoring (3) on base hits from Anthony, JoJo, Ryan, a double from Sean and a sacrifice fly from Matt. The Falcons follow with a 1-2-3 of their own. The Titans go down 1-2-3 in their half of the third. Jeff comes on to pitch and sends the Falcons back to the dugout with a two out single their only threat! . The Titans score (2) more in the fourth with a single from Blake a triple from Dylan and a sacrifice fly from Anthony...only four batters but (2) runs. Jeff shuts them down again with their only threat coming from an error. The Titans score (1) more in the fifth, a single by Sean, a sacrifice by Matt and a sacrifice fly from Jake. Conner comes on to pitch and in the fifth the Falcons score (2) runs on (4) base hits and a base on balls, Anthony comes out of the pen to stop them in their tracks...for those of you who aren't keeping up that's 5-4 Titans! The Titans come out and threaten to score with men on first and third and only one out...but can't get it done. The Falcons come out for the sixth with Anthony still on the mound. He K's the first batter, then a base hit and a base on balls ends his pitching day...Dylan is summoned to the mound. He K's the first batter, but an error allows them to score their 5th run, and another K ends the inning...but the game is now 6-5 Titans. The Titans go 1-2-3 in the top of the seventh. Falcons come out in the seventh facing Dylan needing one run to tie it up. Dylan K's the first batter...but the ball gets away and we can't throw him out at first...a walk and a successful sacrifice leave runners at second and third with one out, the runner scores on a ground ball...a quick fly out to right after that ends the inning...extra innings here we come. Ryan starts off the inning with a walk...then Jake sacrifices him to second...our (6) sacrifice of the game...WOW...great teamwork! Conner steps up and drills a shot to right center field, Benham scores. Conner steals third and then makes it home. 8-6 Titans. Ryan steps up to the mound and shuts them down facing three batters after a single to open the inning he gets an fly out to right and a double play to short to end the game! Well done! Titans win! A 15U Championship for the 14U team!

Titans Go Undefeated April 26th & 27th Weekend
What a great weekend of baseball...as the Titans solidified their top spot in the league. It started on a beautiful Saturday morning in Kitsap County...as the Wolfpack welcomed the Titans to Port Orchard...the sun was shining and it was spectacular day for baseball. The Titans came out strong as they have in many games this year scoring (4) in the first Nick walked and proceeded to steal 2nd & 3rd, a double from Dylan and one from Anthony, a single by Jeff, a couple more walks and a sacrifice fly from Stephen ended the scoring. Conner Kummerlowe made his first league start and gave up a couple of early hits, and a couple of early morning fielding errors cost the Titans (3) runs. He then settled down and pitched the entire game. Using only 57 pitches, he gave up (3) runs, (2) un-earned on (6) hits, (1) BB, he kept the ball in play and the team alive...and ended it early. The Titans went on to score (8) more runs with doubles from Dylan, Jeff and Stephen, singles from Conner, Matt, Anthony (2), Nick, Jeff, Sean, JoJo, but the biggest blast came from the smallest guy...as Jake Storer blasted his first HR over the right field fence...a total of (14) hits in all. Jake, Conner and Stephen all showed great team baseball as they all had sacrifices (2) sacrifice flys and Jakes sacrifice bunt, which came the at bat after his HR. Great job Titans! Titans win 12-3.
Sunday brought a different location, different weather and two different opponents. First we headed out to Bonney Lake to match up with the Puget Sound Thunder...who play at the picture perfect Bonney Lake HS filed with the larger than life Mt. Rainier in the backdrop of center field. The Titans came out strong again scoring (3) in the first...as Nick walked, stol 2nd and Ryan bunted him to 3rd. Dylan drove him in with a single, Jeff and Stephen both walked and JoJo's (2) RBI single scored Dylan and Jeff. Anthony started the game and walked the first batter...he eventually came around to score after a double and a fielders choice...but that is all he would give up in four innings as he settled into the game and only gave up (1) run on (2) hits, (2) walks with (3) K's. The Titans continued to manufacture runs with (2) in the 2nd, as Conner walked, Nick singled and Dylan's (2) RBI double brought them both in. (1) in the 3rd as Stephen singled and Anthony drove him in, Jake added a single but was left on base. Nick's double in the 4th yielded nothing...in the 5th they added their final run as Jeff lead off with a double, Matt singled and Sean drove in the run with a sacrifice fly to center. Garner and Benham singled in the 6th back to back but the inning ended on the third fly out. The Titans had out up a (7) spot...and that is all they would need. Ryan came out and Shut them down 1-2-3 in the 5th, gave up (1) walk in the 6th, and yes it sounds familiar the walk came around to score on two consecutive singles...but that would be the end of the scoring for the Thunder. Titans win 7-2.
The last game of the weekend was played in typical Seattle Spring baseball weather, cold an drizzly. We traveled from Bonny Lake to North Seattle and Hamlin Field #6...when the game began the rain did as well..never stopping until the game was complete. Waiting at Hamlin was Seattle Select Blue, and boy were they ready...shutting down the Titans 1-2-3 in the 1st. Dylan started and was pitching well...after a seeing eye single up the middle, and a (K) their #3 hitter drilled a ball just fair down the third base line...after that all it took was a ground ball to second to give them a lead...the first deficient the Titans had faced all weekend. That was the bad news the good news was that between Dylan's spectacular pitching and good fielding they never scored again...then again the bas news is neither did the Titans...the game was 1-0 going into the top of the 6th. The Titans were frustrated as they hit them where they were...grounding out to short, flying out to center, grounding into the perfect un-assisted double play...but then when it looked like the game may end 1-0...Nick singled to left, and Blake came to plate wielding his old minus 5 purple Barney bat and on a 1-0 count got a pitch he could drive and drive it he did...straight over the left field fence, no doubt about it! Titans up 2-0. Everyone was pumped...especially Dylan who came out and (k'd) the first two batters, walked the third and then picked him off. But it wasn't over yet as the boys from Seattle Select Blue would not give up...after the first Titan error of the game and a ground out to second the tying run was in scoring position...as the drizzle continued so did the game...then on a 2-0 count Dylan delivered a ground ball to 3rd...Anthony fired the ball to JoJo who picked the ball and ended the game! WOW...what a game...I think we all were ready for rest! Titans win 2-1.

NW Titans 13 vs. Seattle Bombers 5 at Marymoor 4/12 in League Game
What a beautiful start to the league baseball season- an 80 degree day! The day was great and the opponent was tough. The Seattle Bombers came to Marymoor ready to play. Ryan was throwing well when he started the game, giving up only (1) unearned run off of (1) hit, a walk and an error, he also K'd (2) but had to leave the game with a sore elbow after the 1st inning. Jeff came in and pitched a great five innings giving up only (2) earned runs and (2) unearned runs on (6) scattered hits with (6) K's and no walks. He seemed to get stronger as the game went on giving up a single in the 6th inning then striking out the next three batters. A little bit of a familiar story with the bats as they were slow to come along. Just a walk in the 1st, and a single from Anthony and (2) walks in the 2nd yielded nothing. Finally in the 3rd a single from Nick, a sacrifice from Blake, two consecutive singles from Dylan and Stephen, followed by a walk and consecutive RBI hit by pitch at bats delivered a 3-1 lead for the home team. But it was not too last as the defense faltered and gave the Bombers (3) in the 4th and (1) in the 5th. But this is familiar territory for the Titans and they responded like they always do by scoring (9) in the bottom of the 5th off (7) hits. A lead-off double from Stephen, a single by Anthony, a walk, a couple of errors and a squeeze bunt from Dallas, another walk and two doubles from Blake and Dylan, another hit from Stephen and one more from Anthony (both players with a two-hit inning) followed by a double from Sean, and the game was now out of hand. (1) more scored in the 6th off a sacrifice fly from Blake, and the game was over. Titans win in six innings 13-5.

NW Titans 9 vs. Stars West 6 (8) at Bainbridge Is. 4/13 in League Game
Sunday everything changed, especially the weather. From 80 and sunny to 50 and rainy. So we made the trek across Puget Sound by car and by ferry. Waiting on the other side was a very feisty Stars West (formally Island Stars). What a fun game this turned out to be. Both teams showing great desire to bring home the win. It started as a pitching dual. Both Dylan Lavelle and their pitcher, Tyler Riely, pitched great games. Tyler held the strong Titans' bats to very little, and when they did threaten he got stronger forcing double-plays, fielding bunts and taking advantage of some strong team fielding. In the 3rd, Dylan gave up a single and a walk, combined with one throwing error, and the Titans found themselves down 2-0 after three innings. The Titans took advantage of a fielding error and with the hit-and-run on, Dylan blasted a ball to the left-center field wall. But that was all the Titans could manage- down 2-1 after four. Both teams went down 1-2-3 in the 5th- the Titans more conventionally and the Stars with two walks, both players getting picked off at first. In the 6th the Titans took advantage of another error and tied the game at two as Dylan blasted another double to the fence in left-center field. Nick came in to finish off the game, and gave up a base hit, but was on the receiving end of a double-play. Both teams threatened in the 7th with both leaving men in scoring position. Extra innings again for the second time this year and the Titans would play more than the regulation seven innings. Tyler came out for the 8th but after getting a long out to center field things began to unravel. A base hit by Nick and a base on balls ended his day- a very commendable performance. The next pitcher was not so lucky as Nick scored on a fielder's choice, then with two outs the gates opened. Another walk and then a center field blast from the bat of Ryan broke it open as Ryan slid into third with a triple. Five consecutive bases on balls, with a pitching change in between and a single from Anthony and a hit-by-pitch for Nick, and the score was now 9-2. But the Stars showed no quit and with a couple of lucky bounces and four base hits including a triple of their own it was 9-6. coach Jeff went out to see what Nick wanted to do. He said he wanted to win the game and that's what he did. He decided it was time to nail it down and he did just that getting the number two hitter to watch a called third strike on the ninth pitch of the at-bat and then the number three hitter grounds out to short on the sixth pitch of his at bat. WOW! It was time to get on the ferry and go home...victorious but tired!

14U Spring Blast in Wenatchee, WA. April 4-6
Well the only way you're going to finish a tournament in two days around this time of the year is to go East, young man. So that's what we did! The Century 21 Baseball Team from Wenatchee, WA hosted the 14U Spring Blast in Wenatchee, WA. There were only five teams signed up for the tournament and we were lucky to get it in. The previous week's tournament was snowed out with an inch of snow covering the fields. Not to say that it wasn't cold- it was- but mostly clear. There was a good representation of teams- The Brooklyn Baseball Club of Yakima, The Ellensburg Blue Rocks, The Seattle Rainier's, and the host team from Wenatchee, Century 21.
We started at 11AM Saturday morning with the Yakima boys. The Titans scored early (3) in the first as the Brooklyn BBC pitchers hit one player and walked another and then Anthony came through with a two-run double. Nick started walked the first guy- Stephen then threw him out stealing- Nick shut them down facing only seven batters in the first two innings with only one hit. Sean came in and pitched two innings...giving up (2) runs on (2) hits in the third and then going 1-2-3 in with (2) K's in the fourth. The Titans continued to score (2) in the 4th with the big blow being Blake's double, (1) in the 5th when JoJo scored off of Stephen's double, and (3) in the 6th on a nice Sac fly from Dylan and an RBI single from Matt. Matt came in to pitch in the 5th and battled the Brooklyn boys and his own control...(5) walks later JoJo came in and K'd one but then gave up a double that scored a couple of those walks...it would be the last runs they would see. JoJo finished the last inning 1-2-3 with (2) K's. Game over 10-6 Titans win.
The following game was The Seattle Rainier's a slightly different team than the one we faced in the State Championship last year. Ryan started the game and hit the first batter, a nice sacrifice bunt put him in scoring position and a double brought him home...it looked like we were in for a fight. Ryan then closed them out and held them scoreless from the next two innings giving up only (2) hits with (4) K's. The Titans started off strong with (2) in the 1st, (2) in the 2nd and (7) in the 3rd. With (9) hits...including triples from Dylan Caneza and Ryan Benham, doubles from Dylan Lavelle, Nick Garner and Stephen Carratt...an impressive display of batting. Sean came in and battled through a rough inning giving up a couple of hits, (3) walks and (1) hit by pitch allowing (4) to score and raising their hopes slightly. The Titan bats went cold for a couple of scoreless innings and then scored (4) more in the 6th, with singles from Howie, Clark and Catrow as well as a nice sacrifice bunt from Benham. JoJo came in and shut them down 1-2-3 in the 5th inning on five pitches. Then in the sixth they lead off with a singles to left a great relay from Dylan C. to Dylan L. who proceeds to throw behind the runner at first and nails him going back to the bag! JoJo then finished the inning with seven more pitches. Titans win 15-5.
Our next game- the third of the day- was against the host team, Century 21. Anthony started the game and battled their boys and his own control facing 17 batters over three innings giving up only (1) hit, but with (5) walks and (4) hit by pitch...they were able to score (3) runs. The really good news is the bats were alive! A little slow to start as the Titans scored (1) in the first the big blow cam on Anthony's double as he helped himself, and (2) in the second when Nicks single scored two boys both having been hit by pitches. The the barrage began- (9) walks and (7) hits, including Stephen's blast over the center field fence probably 380 feet and (2) doubles to follow, Anthony had another double as did Dylan C. When it ended we had scored (17) in four innings. JoJo came in again his third appearance on the day and picked off the guy at first. Then got a ground out to third. In the 4th inning it seemed as though every other batter was getting a hit, but that meant that every other batter was getting out after giving up (3) hits and (2) runs, the inning and game was finally over. 17-5 the good guys. It was the end of long productive day. The Titans were 3-0 and ready for pizza.
Sunday morning we find that the last team we were playing, The Ellensburg Blue Rocks were 3-0 as well, which meant that no matter who won the first game we would face each other in the final tournament championship game. There was some cry from the parents for maybe only one game, but we came to play baseball and with no rain it was a perfect to play two!
Dylan Caneza (our saving grace substitute 9th player) started the game and he was spot on. Facing only 15 batters in four innings with only (2) hits, (1) walk and (4) K's giving up only (1) run throwing only 42 pitches. He had some very strong defense behind him as Anthony picked up a hard hit ball in right field and gunned down the runner at first! Matt made four nice plays at second and Dylan L. a couple nice plays at short. Stephen came in a pitched like a trooper considering it was his first time on the mound since little league! With (1) hit and (2) walks to go with (1) K and two fly balls- no runs scored! Good for his first outing in two years. On the other side of the ball the Titans were alive again. Taking advantage of (2) base on balls, (1) hit by pitch a single from Dylan L. and a (2) RBI double from Matt the Titans scored (3) in the first. An unproductive 2nd inning...and then the gates opened again (5) runs in the 3rd. (3) bases on balls, (2) errors, a nice sacrifice fly from Stephen and singles from JoJo and Sean lead the way. The Titans woul only score (1) more in the 4th inning. A double from Dylan and a single from JoJo. The Titans were 4-0 headed to the ship!
A little rest, some lunch and it was time to get it on! Nick would start the game and he was on! They started the game with a double, and then he proceeded to strike out the side. As a matter of fact he struck out the next five in a row. His only run came after a single to right and a couple of errors. Nick ended up going four innings with (59) pitches. (1) un-earned run on (3) hits with (6) K's, no walks. Dylan came in to close the game a single and a two base error allowed him to score...but that was all they would get. Dylan struck out the last two batters and that was that. The Titans on the other hand kept the hot hand or hot bats you might say! As they scored (19) runs in five innings on (16) hits and (9) bases on balls. Their were a few highlights that need to be mentioned Dylan after switching off of his dead bat...hit one out to left-center. JoJo went 4-5 spraying them to all sides of the, Ryan 3-3 with (2) walks, and Stephen both 3-4 with (1) walk and Matt 2-3 with (2) walks, Dylan Caneza had a (3) run triple, and Dallas executed a perfect sacrifice bunt. Good guys win 19-2.
All in all it was a very good weekend. The boys started a little slow, but came on strong and kept the pedal to the metal for the remainder of the tournament and brought home their first Championship of the year. Sincerely, John Howie