The Birmingham Giants 11u raised their spring season record to 14-7-1, (27-12-1 overall) with their 3-1 record last weekend. Playing through several injuries the Giants played some of their best baseball of the season in their 3 victories. Jarod Latta (2-1) took the mound in game 1 against the Next Level Baseball Academy from Montgomery, allowing 3 runs over 4 innings, while striking out 4 for the 12-4 victory . Hits from KJ Beck (1), Carson Berry 2, 1 3b), John Pickens (1), Jarod. Latta (1), Peyton Jackson (1), Egan Lowery (1), Gavin Clanton (3), JB Landrum (3), and Dez Kemp (2) paced the 12-4 win.
In game 2 of pool play, the Giants were matched up with Tuscaloosa Elite. John Pickens (3-3) allowed no hits over 3 innings, while striking out 3 in the 15-4 win. At the plate a 14 hit, with 6 extra base hits drove home the 15 runs in the win. Carson Berry (1, 2b), John Pickens (2, 2b, HR), KJ Beck (2, 12b), Jarod Latta (2, 1 3b), Peyton Jackson (2), Gavin Clanton (2, 1 2b), JB Landrum (2), and Dez Kemp (1) all had hits for the Giants. The win seeded the Birmingham Giants 11u in 1st going into bracket play. In bracket play the Giants again faced off with the Tuscaloosa Elite.
This time the Giants posted 14 runs on 12 hits to gain the victory 14-0. Carson Berry (2-1) posted the shutout, allowing just 2 hits over 4 innings, striking out 3, and hits from Egan Lowery (1), Carson Berry (2), John Pickens (3, 1 3b), KJ Beck (1, 2b), Gavin Clanton (1), JB Landrum (1), Dez Kemp (1), and Peyton Berendt (2, 1 2b) led the Birmingham Giants into the semi final game against Birmingham Baseball.
After trailing 3-0 after the top if the first, the Giants stormed back to take a 4-3 lead, and a 6-6 tie going into the ‘4th. 4 late runs upended the Giants run to another championship, as they fell 10-8. John Pickens started on the hill, going 3.2 innings, allowing 5 hits while striking out 2. Hits from Egan Lowery (1, 2b), Carson Berry (2), John Pickens (2), Peyton Jackson (2, 2 2b), Jarod Latta (1), and Peyton Berendt (2), were not enough to push the Giants to the victory. The elimination in the Semi final game landed the Giants with a 3rd place finish. The Birmingham Giants will play again April 23.
