Kissimmee, FL   TravelBallSelect catches up with the two top ranked teams in the Final Regular Season Rankings to report on their early progress.  The top team, East Cobb Astros (GA) took on the D-Bat Mustangs Black (TX) while Team Alabama (2nd ranked nationally) battled the Farmington Blues from Michigan. Both programs are not strangers to the Disney Tournament as Team Alabama’s 14U team captured the title in 2008 under the helm of Rusty Riley while ECB Astros 14U teams won this event in 2007 and 2006 under the guidance of Manager Dave Roberts and Coach Jeremy Luster.

First, TBS had the opportunity to watch a great match-up between two solid teams, Team Alabama and Farmington Blues (an Honorable Mentioned team who has looked strong at times this year to be ranked in the top 25). Unfortunately, not to many fans (other than family) got a chance to see the game as it was not played at Disney’s premier facility but at a local high school tucked away with limited means. This was a common disappointment amongst many who did show up to cheer on their favorite players.

Even though the facility was less than desirable, the competition was fierce. Farmington Blues struck first with and infield hit by Connor Mohr (TBS Players-to-Watch list) which was followed by a double by Jake Lowery. Mr. Lowery was on a roll as the night before he pitched the Blues to victory over the D-Bats. Scoring a single run early was big confidence lift for the Blues as Team Alabama was pitching All-America Jackson Stephens. Jackson would go on to strike out eight batters through six innings.

But Farmington’s pitcher Matt Stojkov was equally as impressive pitching a shutout through four innings. It was the Bases Loaded team who was singing the Blues early as many of the early calls and breaks favored Farmington and put an end to any potential rally.

In the bottom of the fifth, the Florida heat started taking its toll on the pitcher from Michigan. Matt gave up a solo homerun to Austin Sanders and had walked the bases full before turning the mound over to Sterling Sharp with two outs. Sterling proceeded to get TBS Featured Player, Victor Cole, to line out to the left fielder.

As a sign of any good team, Farmington answered back with a run of their own by collecting three hits and one run to regain the lead 2-1. Connor Mohr scored again after leading the inning off with a double and plating the run on Carmen Bennett’s (TBS Players-to-Watch list) single.

Sterling built on his success on the bump by keeping Bases Loaded hitless in the last two innings and preserving the victory.

Congratulations to the Farmington Blues and hopefully more fans will get to see this team play at the Disney complex as they should when competing for an Elite World Series title.

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