The Cal Ripken Major 70 World Series wrapped up last weekend in Branson, Missouri at Ball Parks of America.
Japan and Virginia were victorious in there respective brackets both advancing to the World Championship game in which Japan defeated Virginia by a final score of 6-2.
Below are some highlights from the World Championship game and Virginia's late inning rally that won them the U.S. bracket.
Virginia rallies in crazy 6th inning winning US National Championship at Cal Ripken Major70 World Series
Cal Ripken Major70 World Series US Championship Game Moments That Matter™ from HiCast Sports on Vimeo.
In the top of the sixth inning Virginia trailed 4-3, three outs away from elimination. Lee Sowers started the inning off with a single giving Virginia some hope and momentum. A throwing error would put runners on first and third with no outs and Luke Franko stepping up to the plate. Franko hit a deep fly ball to center field tying the game at 4, Virginia now seemed to have all of the momentum. Franko would steal second base putting himself in scoring position with only one out in the inning. Unfortunately for Mid Atlantic another throwing error would allow Franko to score from second and Virginia took a 5-4 lead.
Mid Atlantic did not go away without a fight, with one out in the inning Quentin Smith stepped up to the plate and hit a ball to deep left field that looked like it was gone... the ball hit off the top of the fence and was picked up by left fielder Cole Chizuk. Chizuk saw Smith running into second and fired a strike into second base catching Smith by a fraction of a second.
Lee Sowers would get the last out for Virginia securing a 5-4 victory and an American bracket championship for Team Virginia.
Japan defeats Virginia 6-2 in the Cal Ripken Major70 World Series
Japan dominated competition all tournament long. Despite getting off to a slow start in the World Championship game they panicked and always seemed right in the game. They broke through in the 5th inning when Juntaro Sasaki got the rally started with a leadoff single. Kosei Tamura walked right after and just like that Japan had runners on first and second with no outs. After both runners advanced on a wild pitch, a sacrifice fly would give Japan their first run of the game. Ryunosuke Tsuji would lay down a beautiful squeeze bunt the very next at bat tying the game at 2. Rintaro Kosugi and Futa Shimizu would drive in three more runs for Japan with some clutch hits giving Japan a 5-2 lead after five.
Virginia would try to rally late like they did in the American Championship game but could not string together hits. The pitching of Japan was too effective in the later innings and Japan was able to hold on to a 6-2 victory.
Cal Ripken Major70 World Series: World Championship Game Moments That Matter™ from HiCast Sports on Vimeo.
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