9U Blue uses big fourth inning to beat New Bern, 10-0

For the first 3 innings of the Semifinal game of the 9U Ripken State Championship, West Raleigh could only scratch out a single run.  But in the fourth the 9U Blue squad exploded for 9 runs and took down New Bern 10-0 to advance to the State Championship game.

Sam Kulasingam blew the game open with a 2 out bases loaded double that cleared the bases, scoring Jake DeFranco, Koen Moreno and Alec Birling.  Adam Bloebaum, Colby Gallimore, Carter Holjes, Penn Sealey, DeFranco and Matt Willadsen added hits in the amazing 2 out rally that concluded with DeFranco crossing the plate with the 10th and winning run. 

New Bern couldn't get anything going so long as Matt Willadsen toed the rubber and they managed just three hits off Willadsen, who allowed no earned runs, walked one and struck out four during his three innings of work.  Willadsen got help from his defense including a spectacular diving catch in Center Field by Moreno. Kulasingam pitched the 4th inning and needed only 7 pitches, all strikes, in the inning.

The win earned West Raleigh an appearance in the Championship game against the host Northview squad.

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