9U Eagles Win Stars And Strikes, Annapolis Open Crowns

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It’s been a fantastic summer season for the 9U Pasadena Eagles baseball team.

The Eagles, who are Kaleb Gardner, Jameson Preis, CJ Parrott, Brooks Burris, Brandon Bessling, Kolt Kendall, Anthony Badillo, Seth Benhayon, Kaden Whittington, Tyler Smith, Griffin Ochiltree and Kingston Lawrence, started with a bang, going 5-0 and winning the championship at the Stars and Strikes Tournament in Frederick.

The team outscored the opposition 46-14, including 26-1 in the semifinals and finals. Outstanding pitching performances by Gardner, Parrott, Burris, Kendall, Badillo, Smith and Lawrence were anchored by superb defensive play of catchers Preis and Ochiltree. Bessling and Benhayon patrolled the outfield with excellent coverage.

The highlight of the weekend came in the championship against the Maryland Orioles on Memorial Day, when the Eagles tossed a combined no-hitter and won, 11-1, behind an excellent team-wide offensive effort in a mercy-rule 3.5 innings.

Overall, the team has gone 27-19 through 46 games and risen to the No. 6 ranking in the state for 9U teams. In addition to playing in the top division of the Mid-Atlantic Baseball Association, the Eagles won championships at the Stars and Strikes and Annapolis Open. They came in second place at the Severn Spring Break tournament and third at the Ripken Armed Forces tournament.

Coach Steve Kendall said the team has gelled and works together as a close-knit unit.

“The thing that makes this team so special is the true bond they have with one another,” said Kendall. “Every team says it, but this team is the truly a family on and off the field.”

 

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