Three-run homer in fifth sinks Dover 12s in Cal Ripken World Series pool play.
BRANSON, Missouri – Acesen-Blade Tennent’s three-run homer to left field in the fifth inning proved to be the game-winner for Black Hills, Washington in a 7-6 victory over Dover on Saturday in a pool play game at the Cal Ripken 12-year-old World Series.
Gavin Peffley retired Dover in order in the top of the sixth, securing the win.
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“It’s a loss, but we’re still alive,” Dover head coach Mike Lynch said. “The top two teams in our pool advance, and we still control our own destiny. (Black Hills) is the best hitting team we’ve ever seen on the Cal Ripken tourney trail. I was super proud of our effort. We battled against a team that I think could win the whole thing. We had them on the ropes. We just have to come out tomorrow and be ready to go. We’re definitely not done.”
Dover is now 1-1 and will continue its five-game pool play schedule on Sunday against West Raleigh, North Carolina on Sunday. Game time is scheduled for 3 p.m. Dover will continue pool play on Monday against Flood City, Pennsylvania at 8 p.m. and Windsor, California on Tuesday at 10 a.m. All times are EST.
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The top two teams from each pool advance to the single-elimination championship round which begins Wednesday.
Tennent also hit a two-run homer in the first inning. Tennent went 2-for-2, drove in five and scored three runs.
“The kid (Tennent) was a good player,” Lynch said. “He hit the ball; hit a homer off each of our pitchers. There was hope the (second homer) wasn’t going to go over, but the ball kept carrying.”
Dover scored two runs and took a 6-4 lead in the fourth. Connor Lynch’s RBI single scored Matthew Maroon.
“(Connor) didn’t hit the ball hard, but it was in the right spot,” Lynch said.
Rhett Rheed’s bases-loaded walk scored Ben Cheek for the 6-4 lead.
“(Reed) had good at-bats all night,” Lynch said. “I don’t think he saw a strike. He didn’t help the pitcher and grinded out that walk.”
Owen Lovering had two of Dover’s seven hits, while Cheek, Lynch, Lucas Grigas, Brady Flynn and Nolan Kinnicutt all had one.
Cheek scored two runs, while Lynch, Lovering, Reed and Maroon all scored one.
“The kids were in it from the start today,” Lynch said. “I think there were some first-game jitters on Friday, and we kind of escaped when we didn’t have our best game. I thought the kids battled and really played well today.”
This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Dover 12s fall to Black Hills, Washington in Cal Ripken World Series
