GBSA 9-year-olds take second at USSSA World Series
BY JASON THOMPSON Gulf Breeze News jason@gulfbreezenews.com

Photo courtesy of Kristin Amberson Matthew deMahy takes a swing during last weekend's USSSA World Series in Pace.

The Gulf Breeze U9 All Stars prepped for this weekend's Dizzy Dean World Series by placing second out of 20 teams at the USSSA AA World Series Saturday in Pace.

"This was probably the Wave's finest accomplishment to date, finishing second in a field of 20 select travel teams from all over the United States," manager Jeff Gill said.

The Wave lost its first two games in pool play before winning its next five to advance to the semifinals. The Texas Bruisers dropped the Wave into the losers bracket, but after a win, advanced to the final against the same Bruisers, who beat the Wave again 17-2.

NEP 9,Wave 8

NEP scored four runs in their final at bat to beat the Wave July 16.

Zane Gill went 2-for-3 with two RBIs and a run scored, while Bradley Proctor and Nick Liebig both scored twice. Julian Gordon had three RBIs, while Blake Fournie and Matthew deMahy both had one hit each. Mandeville (La.) Lightning 16,

Wave 8

Photo courtesy of Kristin Amberson A close shave Wave manager Jeff Gill (above, left) promised to have his head shaved if his team won the state championship. Witnesses to the shaving were (front, from left): Zane Gill, Bradley Proctor, Jace Amberson, Matthew deMahy and Adam Colston.

Jace Amberson scored twice, while Sam Joyce had a hit and two RBIs as the Wave lost its second straight game on July 17.

Proctor had a hit and an RBI, while Corey Nolan had a hit and a run scored. Gill added a double in the loss.

Wave 14,

Texarkana (Tx.) Warriors 4

Gill threw a two-hitter and went 3-for-3 with a triple, three RBIs and three runs scored to lead the Wave to their first win July 18.

Adam Colston went 2-for-2 with an RBI and three runs scored, while Fournie scored twice and drove in two runs. Proctor doubled and scored twice, while Niles had two RBIs.

Wave 6, Memphis Tigers 5

Amberson's single scored Proctor in the bottom of the sixth as the Wave edged the Tigers Thursday.

Colston hit a two-run triple in the second inning, while Joyce scored twice. Gill singled and scored once.

Wave 10,

Punta Verda Pirates 0

Niles threw a three-hitter and struck three, while Gill went 3-for- 3 with a double, a triple, two RBIs and a run scored as the Wave blanked the Pirates Thursday.

Joyce doubled twice, drove in three and scored once in the win, while Amberson and Gordon both scored twice.

Wave 10,

Texarkana Warriors 4

The Wave used a six-run fourth to pull away from the Warriors Friday.

Proctor went 2-for-4 with two RBIs, while Colston drove in two and scored once. Joyce and Gill both singled, scored twice and drove in one.

Wave 6, Extreme Heat 1

Amberson and Colston combined on a three-hitter, while Joyce and Gill both had two hits in a win over the Extreme Heat Friday.

Joyce drove in a run and scored twice, while Gill doubled, drove in two and scored once. Colston had an RBI double and scored once, while Niles added an RBI single. Amberson singled and scored once.

Texas Bruisers 11,Wave 3

A nine-run first was all the Bruisers would need as they advanced to the title game Saturday.

Proctor and Gill both singled and scored once, while Amberson scored the other run, reaching base on a walk. Proctor had an RBI in the loss, while Joyce had the team's only other hit, a single.

Wave 11, Extreme Heat 3

Gill went 4-for-4 with a triple, two runs scored and two RBIs, while Joyce went 3-for-3 with two RBIs and two runs scored.

Colston scored twice and drove in two, while Amberson scored twice and Fournie had two RBIs.

Texas Bruisers 17,Wave 2

A four-run first and a sevenrun second propelled the Bruisers to an easy win in the title game.

Colston went 2-for-2 and scored once, while Liebig had a base hit and Amberson a run scored.

Gill, Niles and Joyce all made the All Tournament team. Gill was 18-for-27 in the tournament, while Niles had two complete games, allowing only three runs in 10 innings.