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U8 Red Caps Special Season in Style

By Joe Rubens, 07/24/21, 6:30AM CDT

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The Hamilton Jr. Chargers U8 Red team earned a first place finish in the Summer Classic, capping a 27-4-1 season in style.

The U8 field for the Summer Classic was loaded with 14 teams, including five division champions from the WSYBL and YBL Major leagues. A sluggish performance in pool play rendered the team a six seed heading into Sunday tournament play, setting up a daunting road to a championship.

In tournament play, the Jr. Chargers began Sunday with a rematch against Prospects Training Academy, who had defeated this Charger team 10-0 the week prior. A fast start propelled by a three hit performance by Caleb Ruppel, including a triple, set up a Charger victory. The Jr. Charger hitters racked up 11 hits and 8 walks en route to a 11-8 win. Bryce Wanner, Vincent Rubens and Carson Mach held PTA to just 8 hits and 5 walks, with Wanner recording the win.

The semi-final game against the New Berlin Pumas could not have started worse, with the Jr. Chargers trailing 7-0 after the first inning. But this Jr. Charger team showed grit and determination, chipping away at the lead in each of the first five innings, on solid hitting by Ruppel, Sean Moser, Rubens, Jack Jacoby and Nash Ackerman, each posting a multi-hit game. Entering the top of the sixth inning down 12-9, the Jr. Chargers rallied to take the lead 13-12. Bryce Wanner took the hill in the bottom of the sixth, striking out all three batteries he faced, recording the win and securing the team a spot in the championship game.

The championship game against the Cedarburg Mercs was a four inning massacre for the Jr. Chargers. The red hot hitters logged 25 hits, 8 walks and just four strikeouts en route to a 27-4 victory. On the mound, Carson Mach was the winning pitcher. Mach pitched three innings, allowing just two hits and no walks, while striking out six batters. Logan Pudlosky closed the game for the Jr. Chargers in the fourth inning.

Congratulations to this special group of players on an outstanding season!