D'backs hang on: Bob Evans takes Minor League National Division title

Wendy Haun
Register Sports Writer

RICHMOND June 22, 2009 01:55 am

— Despite a late surge by the Cornerstone Physical Therapy Reds, the Bob Evans Diamondbacks held on for an 11-9 victory in the Richmond Little League Minor League National Division title game Sunday at Lake Reba.
The Diamondbacks took a 3-1 lead in the first inning. The Reds were able to get one back off a hit by Abby Hotchkiss in the second, but the Diamondbacks scored two runs off a wild pitch and took a 6-2 lead.
The Reds got within striking distance, scoring off three bases-loaded walks in the fourth inning and completed a double play in the top of the fifth inning, when Hotchkiss got out the runner at second and threw the ball to Chase Robinson at first base to force the runner out.
Bob Evan’s Jesse Cox scored on a double by Michael Atkinson, who would go on to score off a bad throw to third. The Reds’ bad throws would continue, as Michael Roberts also scored on three bad throws later in the inning.
The Reds scored another three runs in the sixth inning to try to get over the top. Ryan Rosanbalm had a two-RBI double but their rally fell just short.
The Reds’ Caleb Miller had two doubles and Hotchkiss had a single. Dillon Wheatley, Robinson and Miller all pitched.
For the Diamondbacks, Gavin Williams hit two singles and Adkinson had a double. Jeremy Cox and Williams both pitched.
Named to the 9- and 10-year-old all-stars team were: Jacob Ferris, K.J. Long and Hunter Hazelwood (Boardman Chiropractic); Jesse Cox and Gavin Williams (Bob Evans); Hunter Brock, Caleb Miller, Chase Robinson and Ryan Rosanbalm (Cornerstone Physical Therapy); Zack Friend (Madison Pediatrics); Tye White (Redi Mart) and Reese Barker (Soft Shoe).
The finals of the machine-pitch and coach-pitch leagues will be tonight at Lake Reba. The games will start at 6:30 p.m.