8U Red Sox Pummel Dodgers, Take PBC World Series

By Colin Murphy

On June 18 at George Fox Middle School, the mighty 8U Red Sox erupted for 43 hits in a 23-7 trouncing of the Dodgers to become the 2011 Pasadena Baseball Club 8U World Series Champions. On the season, the powerful Red Sox offense outscored opponents 350-117 and finished with a 17-0 record.

“I am just proud and honored to be a part of this team,” said Manager Carter Rigsbee, who saw his team play solid defense to complement their run-machine offense. The Red Sox recorded 10 infield putouts in the win.

But the day belonged to the Red Sox batters. The entire lineup of Cole Strick, Jake Ervin, Jackson French, Gage Mueller, Ben Arellana, Hunter Glaves, Tyreese Wilborn, Michael Carnes, Ryan Hatch, Robert Shanabrook, Evan Belew, Shane Brennan, and PJ Bisser contributed to the gaudy total of 23 runs, as every player scored and recorded at least two hits in the rout. The Red Sox belted eight doubles and four triples in the game, with Strick going 5 for 5 with two triples and three runs scored. Including Strick, the Red Sox had a whopping eight players with perfect batting averages for the game, as Carnes, Arellana, Ervin, Bisser, Shanabrook, Belew, and Brennan all went 4 for 4.

The championship game was reflective of the season as a whole for the Red Sox, who piled up mercy-rule victories en route to their perfect record. On the year, every player had at least 25 hits and 19 runs scored and as many as 62 hits and 44 runs scored. The 8U Red Sox also displayed precocious power, smacking 23 home runs on the season, a tremendous number for any team at the 8U level. Following the championship victory over the Dodgers, Rigsbee was keen to thank all the coaches and parents who contributed to such a successful season.

“Many thanks to Coaches Mike Ervin, Brendon Jennings, and Floyd Belew, and Team Mom Tammie Wilborn,” said Rigsbee. “Also a special thanks to [Pasadena Baseball Club President] Dave Jann, [Vice President] Tom Henry, Archie Carr, Earl Geoghegan, John Leopold, and Glynn Davis. Hope we get to do it again next season.”