U13 RiverCats Claim 3rd Place Finish in Cocoa Beach President’s Day Challenge!

The U13 RiverCats have played themselves to a 3-2 record to claim 3rd place in the President’s Day Challenge, which was held February 13-15 in Cocoa, FL.  The RiverCats at the U13 age level finished their winter season with a 5-3 record overall, claiming 3rd place in both tournaments entered.

In the President’s Day Challenge, the ‘Cats lost the semifinal matchup to the eventual tournament champion, yet avenged an earlier tournament loss in the 3rd place game to win the trophy.

The path to the 3rd place finish started with a tournament opening win over the team All Pro 6 to 1.  Conner Funnell – Sun Prairie, WI, earned the win for the RiverCats throwing 6 scoreless innings of 2 hit ball, walking 2 and striking out 5.

Rudy Rott – Holmen, WI, supplied the big offensive punch with a 2 RBI triple in the second inning to give the ‘Cats a lead they would not surrender.

The second game of pool play was a tight game eventually dropped by the RiverCats 5 to 2 to Team Worth of Florida.  Going into the 5th inning, with the score tied 1 to 1, Team Worth scored 4 runs to break the game open.  Rudy Rott carried a no hitter through 4 innings, before becoming the tough luck loser.  Tanner Johnson – Jefferson, WI, and Zach Haugen – Cambridge, WI, each tallied a hit for the ‘Cats.

Needing a win to advance to the bracket of the final four teams, the RiverCats rolled up the Palm Bay Prospects of Florida 15 to 0 due to the mercy rule after 4 innings.

Jacob Nelson – Waterloo, WI, threw 3 perfect innings with 5 punch outs.  Kanyon Fellers – Sun Prairie, WI, pitched a perfect final inning striking out the side.  The ‘Cats tandem combined to throw a perfect game with 8 strikeouts versus the 12 hitters faced.

10 of the 12 RiverCats who headed to the plate during the game recorded hits.  Sam Lund – Sun Prairie, WI, knocked in two RBI’s, scored twice, and had two hits.

The RiverCats dropped the opening game of the four team final bracket to place themselves in the 3rd place game, losing 14 to 4 to MPact Baseball.

In the 3rd place game, the RiverCats avenged a loss to Team Worth, who they had lost to in game two of the tournament.  The RiverCats took home the hardware with a 12 to 10 win.  Conner Funnell recorded his second win of the tournament, this one in relief.

Aaron Mack – Madison, WI, notched 2 hits and scored 2 runs, along with giving the ‘Cats four solid innings to start the game.  Conner Funnell and Cade Bunnell - Stoughton, WI,  also had 2 for 3 days at the plate.

The RiverCats were rewarded for their third place finish with individual medals and a team trophy.

For more information on the Wisconsin RiverCats, please check out the team page on www.GregReinhard.com