From now on, it’s win or go home for Hazel Dell Metro at the Babe Ruth World Series for 14-year-olds.
A 9-3 nine-inning loss to Arlington, Mass., on Wednesday did not impact the Vancouver team’s position for the elimination phase of the tournament. The 10-team event is being played in Purcellville, Va.
Hazel Dell Metro will face West End of Williamsport, Pa., at 5 p.m. PDT today in an elimination game. The winner will advance to face defending champion Tallahassee, Fla., in Friday’s semifinals.
On Wednesday, Arlington needed to beat Metro by 16 runs to qualify for the knockout phase. So its six-run ninth inning was enough to win the game, but not to change the teams’ fate.
Hazel Dell Metro manager Dennis Zyph gave playing time to his reserves Wednesday and praised their play against a desperate Arlington team.
Kaiden Grotte hit a leadoff double to spark a two-run first inning for Metro. HDM had four hits in that inning.
Grotte, Josh Wilkerson, and Brooks Hanson each had two hits for Metro.
Grotte started on the mound and pitched four innings. Andrew Free took over in the fifth and pitched into the ninth before tiring.
Zyph said he plans to start pitching ace Alec Dannat today, rather than saving him for a possible semifinal matchup with Tallahassee. Zyph and Grotte both said they are optimistic about today’s contest against West End.
“We’re pretty confident, Grotte said. “And the game’s not until 8 p.m. (EDT), so we’re going to be fresh and ready for it.”
Shortstop Jay Becker, Metro’s top hitter, remains sidelined by a concussion. Zyph said he hopes Becker might recover to play in the semifinals should Metro win today.
