Tyler Birkle's Rough Start Gives Way to Bedford Elite's Fair Tournament Upset
The finals of the 66th annual Monroe County Fair Baseball Tournament didn't get off to a good start for Tyler Birkle, who walked four and hit a batter in the opening inning, giving up two hits and five runs.
Bedford Elite 12-U coach Clifford Albain didn't lose faith in Birkle, telling him, "Don't get down on yourself. We'll come back and I'll come back to you."
Birkle's teammates, however, did exactly that, roaring back from a 7-2 deficit to take the championship game 16-10 over Ida Gold on Thursday, July 23.
The comeback was led by Birkle, who had a 3-for-3 performance, doubling, singling, tripling, and scoring four times. He missed out on a chance to hit for the cycle when he was intentionally walked with runners on second and third in the final inning.
Right behind him, Xander Rising stroked a trio of doubles, driving in a run each time.
The team's pitching also played a crucial role, with Noah Norton throwing two strong innings after the rough opening frame, and Rising not allowing a run or a hit in the fourth and fifth.
Bedford had to overcome quite a bit of adversity to capture the title, with just nine healthy players on the roster.
"Unfortunately, we lost one two weeks ago and another last weekend," Albain said. "And we only had 11 on the roster. These guys were awesome."
The team's hard work paid off, with Bedford improving from last summer's performance when they didn't fare well in the same tournament.
Bedford's victory was a testament to the team's dedication and resilience, and a lesson for their opponents, Ida Gold, who were beaten by a team of 11-year-olds.
"We kind of got beat up," Albain said. "These guys really worked hard. It shows what can happen with hard work."
Ida Gold coach Chris Cuolahan was proud of his team's effort, saying, "I am really proud of these boys. This was a lot of fun."
Tucker Ray delivered a three-run double for Ida in the first inning, Zeke Billau doubled home two runs, and Nolan Wilson produced a run with a triple.
Ray and Easton Lehr finished with two hits each.
Bedford's victory in the Monroe County Fair Baseball Tournament is a significant achievement for the team, and a testament to their hard work and dedication.
Source: Yahoo Sports