- By Ernie Rapiere

July 8, 2010 – Snowden Grove Park Southaven, Mississippi - The 10U NABF World Series Finals today matched the the TBS #11 ranked Houston Banditos. In the other half of the semi-finals bracket, the TBS #15 ranked DQ Crushers squared off against the Arlington Tigers (TN). Both games where simply nail biters that went to the wire.

The Crushers took an early 2-0 lead and held on tightly through the 4^th inning as Jordon Wickes (shown in right photo) had pitched an outstanding game keeping the powerful Banditos offense at bay.  Banditos, Rylan Kaufman shown in left photo  also delivered a big time performance on the mound.

Thanks to both pitchers, finding paths for getting on base, and scoring runs proved to be exceedingly difficult.

But it is hard to stop the constant explosiveness of the Banditos for long. They got their offense in gear with 3 runs in the top of the 5^th.  This rally was lead by Alerick Soularie, who had hit a game winning homerun to drive the Banditos by the Cincy Flames in the semi-final game. This time, Soularie set down a picture perfect RBI bunt down 3^rd base line that put the Banditos on the score board.  Soon after, Soularie scored the tying run - pictured below as he slides into home plate.  The Banditos jumped up 3-2 when Shane Jessen blasted a solo homerun.

Picture below, DQ Crusher coach, Scott Stroth, talks with his pitcher, Jordan Wickes, along with his catcher, Andrew Hreha, while the Banditos were rallying to take a 3-2 lead.  This worked, as Wickes and his team mates responded and stopped the Banditos’ rally to limit their deficit to only 1 run going into the bottom of the 5^th.  

When the Crushers came to bat in the bottom of the inning, the Banditos defense held firm to preserve their 3-2 lead as play moved into top of the 6th.

Wickes returned to the mound with his team down 1 run with the task of shutting down the Banditos power hitters. And once again, this young pitcher backed with his scrappy Crushers defenders held the Banditos scoreless; thus greatly increasing their comeback chances. Down 3-2 in their last at bat, the DQ Crushers rallied to score 2 runs to take a 4-3 win and the 2010 NABF World Series title. 

This win earned the Crushers a ticket the NYBC Championship where they will face the champions from the top seven other travel baseball leagues.  The NYBC will be played during August at First Tennessee Fields in Cordova.  The winner is of this championship is largely recognized as the true National Champions. Best to the NABF Champions - The DQ Crushers.

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