Virginia Venom 12U earn top 20 finish in national tournament

By Community Member | July 9, 2014 5:11 pm

Members of the Virginia Venom 12U team pose after their top 20 finish at a national baseball tournament in Cooperstown, New York.

Virginia Venom 12U, a baseball team consisting of players from New Kent and Charles City, earned a top 20 finish among 104 teams during the Dreamspark National Tournament held June 21-27 at Cooperstown, New York.

The team earned a berth for the tournament after a 3-3 finish in a regional tournament in Georgia. The Virginia Venom competed in 10 games over five days at the national tournament.

After dropping their first two contests, the Venom bounced back with a 4-1 victory over the Detroit Metrostars, led by pitcher Junior Ward’s eight strikeouts. The winning ways continue, as the team toppled the Indiana Mafia 11-7. A grand slam by the Venom contributed to the win. The team won its third consecutive game with a 14-12 win over the Sharon Spring Spartans, thanks to Trevor West’s three hits, Jack Schulz’s homeruns in the third and fourth innings, and a deep blast by Jack Whitmore in the fifth. Despite dropping their final game in pool play, the Venom advanced into tournament play.

In the opening round, the Venom topped the Wilmington Wildcats 9-4 to move on with Shaun Coons overall effort with six strikeouts and also contributing with a homerun. The team continued to advance with a 9-2 win over the Lincoln Way Prospects from Indiana, receiving homeruns from Dylan Cottrell, Justin Bostic, and West.

The Venom won its third round game 8-6, with strong closeout innings from the plate from Schobel and Cottrell’s save. The team’s run came to an end against Team DeMarini of Georgia in the round of 32, falling 6-4.

For the tournament, the team composed a .429 batting average, with 17 homeruns and batting in 73 RBIs. Each player was inducted into the Dreamspark Youth Baseball Hall of Fame.

The Virginia Venom will be holding tryouts for both the 12U and 13U teams on Saturday, July 26, 9 a.m. at the Warhill Complex, Field 5. For information, visit www.virginiavenom.com or call Ben Ward at 641-6908.