The Folsom Flames 12-and-under baseball team ended its 2011 season in fine fashion by winning the Slumpbuster Tournament in Omaha, Neb. held June 17-19.
The Flames battled through an up-and-down season and peaked at the right time, winning their final tournament. The victory qualified for the team 12-and-under World Series to be held in July in Utah, but the team will not participate in it.
The tournament in Omaha provided the boys a unique experience, as they played games during the day, while enjoyed watching the College World Series in the evening.
Folsom won five of its six games during the tournament, outscoring opponents 48-12. The Flames went 2-1 during pool play, losing only to the DC Gappers, 3-2.
Folsom opened bracket play as the sixth seed and defeated E-TRAIN of Texas, 9-0 before moving on to beat the Rebels of Colorado, 2-1. Folsom trailed 1-0 after four innings, but scored twice in the fifth to earn the victory.
In the championship game, the Flames had a rematch with the DC Gappers. The game was tied at one before the Flames scored four runs in the fifth and four more in the sixth to earn the 9-3 win.
Flames batters hit .366 during the tournament (55-for-150), while nine pitchers combined to allow the competition to hit only .166, allowing just 12 runs on 20 hits, while striking out 21.
“We finished the season with a record around .500,” Folsom Manager Will FitzPatrick said. “In seven of the 10 tournaments we competed in, we lost to the eventual winner so it was great to go out on top. Everyone stepped up in this tournament.”
Members of the team include Dylan Crane, Trevor Darrow, William FitzPatrick, Mark and Matt Langbehn, Dominic Langham, Adam McMahon, Mike Nelson, Brent Schaeffer, Evan Stafford and Chase Walter. FitzPatrick managed the team with help from assistants Matt Darrow and Dave Stafford.
Every strike brings me closer to the next home run. Babe Ruth
