| Gering 12U erupts in third game of Father's Day Classic tournament | |
| June 23, 2011 Gering Citizen | |
This year the 12U Gering team featured a lot of talent both on defense and offense. The coaches leading the team were Randy Abbott and Steve Radzymski.
The first game did not go so well for Gering, as they fell to Cheyenne Stars 3-1. The team played well and looked good but could not find the hits they needed to drive in some runs. The second game showed a little more of the team’s capability shutting out Casper Grizz 3-0.
After going 1-1 in the first two games, Gering needed to win the third and final game of pool play in order to advance to the semifinals, the opponent was the Tri City Tropics.
Gering was the home team and started the first inning in the outfield with Austin Abbott on the mound. The Tropics had a few good looks but with a great catch at short stop to end the top of the first Gering escaped the inning without any damage.
Before Gering got their bats ready, Coach Abbott told his team to steal bases until the pitcher or catcher proved they can throw them out. It was a risky move by the coach but one that proved to be an excellent decision throughout the game.
After a hit for a single, Abbott stole two bases right away leaving the Tropics pitcher and catcher no chance to throw him out.
With two stolen bases Abbott found himself at third base ready to bring in a run with Carlos Palomo at bat. After a couple of pitches Palomo took a big swing and sent the ball soaring in the air. It looked high enough and long enough, and it was out of here!
The homerun by Palomo in the first broke open the score with Gering on top 3-0; it was a great start to the game.
In the top of the second the Tropics were able to find a rhythm and got a couple of hits, some that put a man on third in scoring position. With a man on third the next at bat for the Tropics hit a drive a couple of feet from the pitcher but Abbott showed great reflexes and made a great grab to end the threat and the inning.
After a scoreless second inning for Gering, the team took the outfield once again. Coach Abbott kept his team focused in between innings reminding them about the little things on defense that needed to be done.
Keeping a defensive mentality in the outfield Gering continued to show not only composure but also execution.
The first out of the third inning was a routine groundball thrown to first base for the out. The next two outs were strikeouts by Abbott to end the inning and keep the Tropics at a goose egg.
Little did the crowd, the coaches and perhaps even the players know the barrage of hits and runs that were to come in the bottom of the third for Gering.
And it was only right for Coach Abbott to yell out, “Have fun hit the ball,” right before the first Gering batter set up at home plate.
It all started with a single RBI by Abbott to add a 4-0 cushion lead for Gering. Radzymski then hit a HR to bring in two runs and stretch the lead out to 6-0. Later in the inning, Christian Rogers stole two bases and was then brought in to score on an error by the Tropics, making 7-0. Another error made it 8-0 for Gering, and a walk by the Tropics pitcher brought in another run after Gering loaded up the bases, the score now being 9-0.
After a two RBI hit by Abbott and a late run scored in the inning, Gering’s run finally came to an end, leading 12-0 after three innings.
The final score was 12-0 in favor of Gering and it was a showcase of young talent and great coaching. Gering was scheduled to play Scottsbluff in the semifinals the following day, but unfortunately due to weather the remainder of the Father’s Day Classic weekend was cancelled.
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