FORT RUCKER, Ala. -- The Fort Rucker Giant Smurfs attempted to cool off the Fort Rucker Heat in the first Fort Rucker Youth Sports Baseball Challenge tournament at Field 1 June 4 and 5, but wound up getting burned.
After two hard-fought battles on June 4, the defensive trend of game two caught up to the 'Smurfs after the first two innings of game three.
Creedance Weiss took over pitching duties from Jebuly Thompson for the 'Smurfs and managed to hold the Heat to only two runs in the first inning. The 'Smurfs answered with a pair of runs to tie the game in the second inning.
However, the tide turned in favor of the Heat in the third inning when a series of walks by 'Smurfs relief pitcher Tanner Edwards led to the Heat gaining the lead.
"I could tell he was frustrated by it, but he was still hungry (for the win)," Giant Smurfs coach Antoine Griffin said. "He still did a great job for us."
After first baseman Matthew Metcalf loaded the bases with a single, pitcher James Montez pushed the Heat to a 15-2 lead with an infield grand slam. The 'Smurfs managed to answer three of the Heat's runs, but the Heat tacked on three more to close the game and tournament with an 18-5 win.
Heat coach Matt Metcalf attributed the tournament win to his team's ability to use the basics.
"They all played well together," he said. "It was fundamentally sound baseball."
Metcalf noted a solid performance from pitcher John Bowen helped ensure the victory for the Heat. Bowen was consistent on the mound in game three and had zero walks.
Griffin was disappointed his team didn't pull out the victory but said he enjoyed the season and was proud of his team's accomplishments.
"We can't win them all, but we got out there and competed with every team we faced. I think we really showed a lot of teams what we could do," he said.
Game two was a defensive story for both teams. The "Heat" had faded from the day but not from the game.
Heat infield came alive from the beginning and held off a determined, yet ineffectual, 'Smurfs offense. James Montez came to the mound to take over pitching duties for the Heat and brought the 'Smurfs batters down to size.
Not to be outdone, 'Smurfs pitcher Jebulyn Thompson held off the Heat rally with solid throws until the top of the third inning. With the bases loaded, Heat catcher Tyler Watson stepped up to the plate and sent a fly ball to deep left field. The resulting triple put the Heat out front, 3-1.
Both teams held each other to one run each in the final inning bringing the score to 4-2 and a victory for the Heat. This forced a third and final game for the two teams the following morning.
It was a slow start for the Heat in game one due to fast defensive work by the 'Smurfs.
Weiss held most of the Heat batters off while the combination of third baseman Tanner Edwards and first baseman Michael Atkins took care of the rest with repeated outs from both.
Center fielder Jeff Fiala brought it home for the 'Smurfs in the first inning by ripping a hard line drive to deep centerfield and bringing in three RBIs while gaining a triple for himself. Some easy base-hitting brought the score to 5-0 by the beginning of the second inning.
Several rally attempts by the Heat were shut down by the continuously strong 'Smurfs infield during the second and final inning of game one. The 'Smurfs gained one more run to close the game with a 6-0 victory.
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