Protect Our Protectors VII NIT was held March 25-26 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
The seventh annual event benefitted the Capital Area Law Enforcement Foundation (CALEF). CALEF provides all-day rifle protection and other safety equipment for local law enforcement, fire, and EMS personnel. Through the event, Capital Area USSSA has donated nearly $45,000 to the organization. This year there were over 100 participating teams.
The Cage Baseball-Tanner attended the Protect Our Protectors VII NIT in Baton Rouge and won the Championship game on March 26th.
In the competitive 10AA division, Cage Baseball – Tanner (Brusly, LA) defeated La Leopard Dawgs 10u MS (Baton Rouge, LA) 8-6 to capture the 10AA division at the Protect Our Protectors VII NIT.
The Cage is led by Casey Batts and coached by Blake Tanner and Deric Ourso. Players include Myles Berthelot, Tripp Forbes, Landon Frame, Zaiden Gougisha, Hayes Himel, Jace Jenkins, Jacob Ourso, Ely Skidmore, Keller Smart, Kullen Tanner and Connor Troxclair. The Cage went 5-0 on the weekend scoring 57 runs while only giving up 15. The 3rd seeded Cage defeated Knights Knation – McGucken in the semi-finals to make it to the finals.
In 2nd place, La Leopard Dawgs 10u MS led by Mark Estorge. Players include Luke Ashton, Jonah Clement, Easton Edwards, Landon Edwards Trey Garrett, Luke Messina, Hayes Pacanovsky, Harrison Stone, James Toups, Owen Vann and Zachary Wheeler. Leopard Dawgs made a strong Sunday showing to making it to the championship game coming from the 9 seed. They Defeated the 2 seed, The Show, in the semifinals to punch their ticket.