The 12u Richmond Braves National moved to 37-4 in their inaugural season after winning back-to-back Virginia State Championships.
The Triple Crown VA States were up first represented by top VA teams such as The Tidewater Drillers, RBA West, Chesapeake Rays, and The VA Aces. The Braves went 5-0 on the weekend while scoring 57 runs and giving up just 10. After a slow start in Saturday Pool Play the Braves got it going during the Sunday elimination rounds, allowing just 1 run in 3 games, including a complete-game shutout from Kyle Horton in the Championship. Horton helped his own cause over the weekend by going 11 for 15 at the plate scoring 13 runs to lead his team in hitting. Wesley Clarke and Ryan Kennedy chipped in 7 hits each and combined for 20 RBI while Kevin Mooney had 8 hits with 6 RBI as well.
The USSSA VA States followed the very next weekend but this time the Braves would have to do without the arm of ace Kyle Horton, who went down mid-week with an elbow injury. After earning the #4 seed in Saturday pool play the Braves had to go through The Huguenot Express and their top pitcher just to earn the opportunity to play recent SUPER NIT champion The Hometown Hawks. The opportunity to finally play the Hawks proved enough motivation as Kyle Horton went 3-3 with 2 home runs and a double, Ryan Kennedy had 2 home runs, and Austin Estridge, Wesley Clarke, and Reese Varley also homered to support a solid pitching performance by Chase DeGrood in the 11-0 win.
The game versus The Hometown Hawks got off to a rough start when Lefty Ace Ryan Kennedy had his first struggle all season with control to start the game. After settling in and cruising through the next few innings the Braves held a 7-3 lead after 5 but had to pull Kennedy due to fatigue. The Hawks promptly scored 4 in the bottom of the 6th to tie the game and send it in to extra innings. With some clutch hitting and an outstanding defense play by Pearce Bucher, the Braves pulled out a 10-9 victory in the 7th. Ryan Kennedy held Hometown in check on the mound and also delivered 2 home runs to support his cause. Kyle Horton went 3-4 with a home run and scored 3 runs, while Wesley Clarke and Austin Estridge also homered in the win.
Without ace Kyle Horton available the Braves turned to Hunter Bowman in the championship against perennial VA powerhouse the Tidewater Drillers. Bowman came through and held the Drillers to 2 runs as the Braves secured a 10-2 win for the championship. Reese Varley banged out 2 home runs, Austin Estridge also homered and Hunter Bowman supported his own cause by delivering a home run of his own as the Braves were crowned VA State Champions again.
The Braves have now won 5 of their 7 complete tournaments and are hoping to find a few more competitive tournaments in preparation for their trip to the Summer Nationals in Myrtle Beach.
The 2012 Richmond Braves National team includes Hunter Bowman, Pearce Bucher, Wesley Clarke, Chase DeGrood, Austin Estridge, Kyle Horton, Ryan Kennedy, Alex Markopoulos, Hunter Meade, Kevin Mooney, and Reese Varley.