Last Sunday in Greensboro, the local U13 squad posted a huge come-from-behind 7-6 victory over the Sanford Buzz to claim the championship of the State Games of North Carolina for its division.
The Patriots entered the tournament having captured four titles in six tournaments, and the win over the Buzz just added to the team's growing collection of recognition.
The Buzz entered the tournament as the state's top-ranked team and was rated sixth in one national poll.
After the Buzz scored six runs in the second inning to take a 6-1 lead, the Patriot pitching duo of Jonathan Henley and Tyler Wallace shut the Sanford squad down, allowing only two hits the rest of the way.
Key hits by Henley, Scottie Tetlow and Evan Roberts proved to be all the Patriots needed to take the lead with two runs each in the third, fifth and sixth innings to account for the final score.
The Patriots finished the tournament with a 3-0 record, which marks the second consecutive time the team has finished a tournament unbeaten.
Leading hitters for the weekend were Patrick Moore, three for six with three RBIs; Roberts, three for eight with two doubles; Joey Vecchione, three for 10 while scoring three runs; and Henley, three for 10 with a triple.
The pitching again was the strength of the team with Zach Christian, Tyler Wallace, Henley and Roberts combining to hold opponents to a .161 batting average.
Up next for the Patriots is the USSSA State Finals, also slated to be held in Greensboro.
