by Vinny Messana, Editor
Going into the game, Coltrane Calloway knew the opposition would soon be his teammates. The 13-year-old will be playing with the Long Island Titans during the 2017 season, but for tonight he showcased what makes him such a terrific player.
He went 2-for-2 with a walk and the go-ahead solo HR in the top of the fourth which ultimately was the deciding factor in Team Beast’s 3-2 victory over the Titans Gold in the championship of the 12U summer league at Baseball Heaven.
A.J. Joya smacked a long HR in the 1st inning but Trane was dominant after that (Photo Credit: Vinny Messana)
Team Beast took an early 2-0 lead off starting pitcher A.J. Joya with a bases loaded two-run single by Jack Vallario to right field.
Joya got the runs right back with a two-run shot off Trane to left field.
Calloway noted that Joya is the one player he really feared in the lineup.
“I was mostly nervous for the three-hitter, A.J,” said Calloway. “He’s always powerful, he hit that home run. That shook me a little, but then I closed the game out,” he added.
Calloway was dominant from that point forward.
He retired the final 16 batters to face him and struck out five against a potent Titans lineup.
His long home run to right center field was also the only run he needed to work with.
It had the potential to be a much more lopsided affair, as the Beast actually had the bases loaded in three separate innings but failed to come across with a run. Titan’s reliever, Jacob Hall, did a tremendous job in relief. He came in with the bases loaded and one out in the third inning but escaped trouble with a failed suicide squeeze and a strikeout. He used a low 3/4 delivery with a devastating slider to confuse the bats of the Beast.
It was a quick one hour, 15 minute game that featured no errors. For two elite programs, it was no surprise.
It was the Beast’s third championship of the summer.
