One game at a time, one at bat at a time, one pitch at a time or as some like to say, NEXT PLAY! The Goodlettsville 12u all-stars have been doing just that during the all-star season as they’ve focused on the game in front of them, the present at-bat and the next pitch on the mound. Looking ahead hasn’t been an option as the journey has been thick with sturdy competition. The first test was
Back-to-back-to-back Little League World Series participant Nolensville All-Stars followed by the Murfreesboro All-Stars in the district 7 tournament. Both teams had expectations of a run to the Little League World Series with all three games being filled with tension and huge plays by each team as thousands came to witness the action. Goodlettsville was up to the challenge limiting Nolensville and Murfreesboro to 4 runs combined in three games.
Tonight, the obstacle in their path was the Clarksville National Blue all-stars. Once again expectations were high as both teams squared off in the 2023 11u state championship game won by Goodlettsville by a single run. Goodlettsville was minus 6 of its top eleven-year-olds in that game as they played up on the 12u all-star team while Clarksville added several new pieces to an already solid crew setting the table for an epic evening in Clarksville, TN and the boys didn’t disappoint.
Goodlettsville lit the fireworks early as Ace Eschenburg launched a fastball deep into the neighborhood past the centerfield fence giving Goodlettsville an early 2-0 lead. Mason Eakes took the mound for Goodlettsville limiting Clarksville to one hit in the bottom half giving Goodlettsville 2-0 lead after one. Goodlettsville added to their lead in the second as Easton Spain drew a walk to lead off the inning, took second on a passed ball and advanced to third on a swinging bunt by Crew Campbell. Spain would take home on the throw as the ball careened off the wall in an attempt to throw out Campbell at first. The score remained 3-0 entering the fifth as Mason Eakes and Clarksville starting pitcher Luke Sundstrom battled pitch by pitch with each team’s defense backing them up with strong play in the field.
Clarksville broke through in the bottom of the fifth as a lead-off pop up over second base was misplayed by the Goodlettsville defense. A groundout by Brayden Claret moved the runner to third with Wesley Moore bringing him home with a solid single to right field closing the Goodlettsville advantage to 3-1 igniting the home crowd. Parker Wyatt singled two batters later to load the bases with one out further exciting the home fans as a late inning rally was taking shape. With the game hanging in the balance, Eakes buckled down striking out the next batter and getting the final out on a fielder’s choice to Johhny Cuthill at short as he calmly threw to Preston Pacurar at second for the final out maintaining Goodlettsville’s lead at 3-1 entering the final inning of play.
You could feel the momentum shifting as Eakes was tiring on the mound and the Clarksville bats were continuing to put pressure on the defense. But as all great teams do under pressure, they rise to the occasion. This time was no exception as the Goodlettsville bats went back to work in the top half of the sixth. Johnny Cuthill led off the inning with a walk followed by a run scoring double by Preston Pacurar. Ace Eschenburg followed with a hard single between third and shortstop scoring Pacurar extending the lead to 5-1. Jackson White would score moments later off the bat of Easton Spain who singled to right center field giving Goodlettsville a much needed 6-1 lead entering the bottom half of the inning.
Eakes went back to the mound for the final inning recording the first out on a hard grounder back to the pitcher’s mound. A single by Brody Wilkins and a walk issued to Luke Sundstrom ended Eakes’ day on the mound as he closed out his day allowing no earned runs on 5 hits. Armando “El Toro” DeDios came on in relief quickly closing out the game with a three-pitch strikeout and a fielder’s choice to short giving Goodlettsville a hard fought 6-1 victory to advance to the state championship game.
Ace Eschenburg led the Goodlettsville offense with two hits while Johnny Cuthill, Preston Pacurar, Easton Spain and Crew Campbell added one.
Clarksville National was led by Brody Wilkins, Luke Sundstrom, Brayden Claret, Wesley Moore and Parker Wyatt who had one hit each.
This game was “must see TV” as both teams proved they’re the best the tournament has to offer. Hats off to both on a game well played.