July 15, 2011 —
Muskies 10U win Disney’s international event
The Cave Run Muskies 10U baseball team traveled to Orlando, Fla., last week to participate in the 2011 Rawlings International Salute to Baseball Festival at Disney’s ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.
According to Coach Scott Hacker, the Disney event is considered one of the toughest tournaments in travel baseball.
The international tournament featured teams from Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, and Venezuela. The teams are filled with their country's best youth baseball talent all competing for the international championship.
A group of 50 Muskies family members and players experienced a week they will never forget.
The Muskies had to play four pool play games during the week before tournament bracket play started.
The team went 3-1 in pool play and earned the No. 2 seed in its bracket by recording big wins over Pennsylvania Monessen Magic, Puerto Rico Criollos de P.R., Puerto Rico Rico Los Boricuas, P.R. The Muskies only loss came to the Puerto Rico Mets Villa Blanca during pool play.
For the Muskies to win the championship, they had to go through three No. 1 seeds.
Thursday started tournament bracket play against one of the brackets No. 1 seeds, Dominican Republic Liga Enrique Cruz Red.
The Liga Enrique Cruz was also 3-1 so far in pool play and filled with the best talent from the Dominican Republic. The Muskies played an unbelievable defensive game throughout the day allowing the Muskies to advance over the Dominicans, 4-1.
On Friday, the Muskies had to face another bracket’s No. 1 team, Dominican Republic Liga Enrique Cruz Blue. The Liga Enrique Cruz Blue were 5-0 at the time.
After falling behind to the Dominicans in the fourth inning, 8-3, the Muskies poured out nine runs to take the game, 12-8, and advance to the Rawlings International Salute to Baseball Festival Tournament Championship Game.
Saturday was championship day at Disney, a game the Muskies will never forget. With ESPN camera crew getting the action, large crowd of fans beating drums, and with excitement in the air, the Muskies ended up facing the Puerto Rico Rico Los Boricuas, P.R., Puerto Rico’s best national team.
The Muskies were down seven runs by the third inning before getting one run back. A huge home run by Luke Burrows sparked some momentum for the Muskies.
Heading into bottom of the last inning of the game with two outs and losing, 7-2, the Muskies found a way to come back in dramatic fashion.
Key hits by several Muskies and the game winning walk off hit by Shane Taylor gave the Muskies an 8-7 win over Puerto Rico.
“It was an unbelievable experience for our program,” Hacker said. “I was hugging everyone I saw after that big hit by Shane. I still can’t believe we came back to win it all with two outs. Truly an experience our kids will never forget. We can’t wait to see the video ESPN produces!”
An ESPN crew followed the Muskies 10U team around for the week. ESPN recorded video during games, as well as followed the team to Disney’s Magic Kingdom for a upcoming special TV piece for travel baseball and ESPN Wide World of Sports. The ESPN special piece is expected to come out in the fall.
The Muskies record is now 58-5 and they are nationally ranked as the No. 10 team in the country for 10Under baseball by Travel Ball Select and the No. 1 ranked team in Kentucky by USSSA.
The Muskies will now get ready for the Kentucky Dream Park Summer Bash Tournament this coming weekend.
2011 Rawlings Salute to Baseball Festival 10U Championship at Disney’s ESPN Wide World of Sports
Pool Play:
Puerto Rico Mets Villa Blanca 5, Cave Run Muskies 2
Cave Run Muskies 17, Pennsylvania Monessen Magic 1
Cave Run Muskies 17, Puerto Rico Criollos de P.R. 2
Cave Run Muskies 7, Puerto Rico Rico Los Boricuas, P.R. 1
Bracket Play:
Cave Run Muskies 4, Dominican Republic Liga Enrique Cruz Red 1
Cave Run Muskies 12, Dominican Republic Liga Enrique Cruz Blue 8
Cave Run Muskies 8, Puerto Rico Patriotas de Ponce 7
Rowan County Sports
Related Photos
-
Muskies 10U win at Disney
-
An ESPN crew followed the Muskies 10U team around for the week recording video during games, as well as following the team to Disney's Magic Kingdom for an upcoming special TV piece for travel baseball and ESPN Wide World of Sports. The ESPN special is expected to come out in the fall.
-
Corey Binion worked behind the plate for the Cave Run Muskies as they were crowned champions of the 2011 Rawlings International Salute to Baseball Festival at Disney’s ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.
-
The team huddles up to the side of the field after one of their tournament wins.
-
Shane Taylor watches the pitch from first.
-
Trey Carter sends the ball to the plate for the Muskies 10U team.
-
The Muskies celebrate their win at ESPN Wide World of Sports.
-
The international tournament featured teams from Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, and Venezuela. The teams are filled with their country's best youth baseball talent all competing for the international championship.
Muskies 10U win Disney's international event
- Rowan County Sports
-
-
Vikings and Lady Vikings win big in 61st District opening round
Both the Rowan County baseball and softball squads moved forward in the postseason Monday night.
-
Chapman’s big hit equals big Viking win
Even with district tournaments upon us, the Rowan County Vikings did not forget to finish the regular season.
-
Rowan boys track & field fight hard in state meet
After winning the 6th Region title, the Rowan County boys track & field team took its show on the road to Louisville to compete in the Class 2A State meet.
-
Rowan softball suffers home finale defeat to Russell
Despite a solid defensive effort, the Lady Vikings could not overcome an even stronger pitching game from the Russell Lady Devils.
-
Free Fishing Derby for kids in Rowan
The first weekend in June is a great time to enjoy free fishing and boating on national forest land.
-
Cave Run Muskies 12U wins with double dose of walk off homers
This past Sunday the Cave Run Muskies defeated the West Virginia Wildcats at Cave Run Muskies Park, winning by way of a walk off homerun in a true nail biter, 8-6.
-
Vikings finish sweep of Fairview
Knowing your competition can go a long way when you’re trying to pull out a win. The Rowan County Vikings knew theirs quite well, pulling off its second victory over Fairview in four days on Wednesday night, 1-0. Three up, three down was the story for the visitor’s offense, as Rowan’s boys laid down the shutout.
-
RCMS baseball finish season strong
Building for the future is how you develop consistency within a program. The Rowan County Middle School baseball team did just this, capping off the regular season with a big win over Mason County at home this past Saturday, 3-2.
-
In the Post: How high can the Eagles fly?
It's been many years since Sean Woods’ unforgettable days playing under now legendary coach Rick Pitino at the University of Kentucky. Prior to Donnie Tyndall's stint at MSU, it had also been many years since the Morehead men's program had made it to the big dance. In six seasons Tyndall changed not only the outlook of a program, but fulfilled the hopes and dreams of a community that had long desired to see the Eagles soar.
-
Former UK star set to host local hoops camp
A free regional basketball camp conducted by former University of Kentucky all-star Jeff Sheppard will be offered by Operation UNITE this summer. All school-age youth are invited to participate in the Shoot Hoops Not Drugs program Tuesday, June 5 in Rowan County at the old middle school gym, 415 West Sun Street.
- More Rowan County Sports Headlines
-
Vikings and Lady Vikings win big in 61st District opening round
