VIERA, FL — The inaugural Easton Army vs Rawlings Army War Games began Friday night at the USSSA Space Coast Complex with an impressive Home Run Derby. Jace Winston (Fuquay Varina, NC | 2031) from the Rawlings Army displayed his strength and composure, hitting 14 home runs in the championship round, lighting up the night sky and cementing his place as the first ever War Games Home Run Derby Champion.
Fans watched from across the country as the derby and two-game series debuted live on USSSA Baseball’s YouTube channel.
Game one of two was a thriller. Rawlings rallied back from a 9-0 first inning deficit, just in time to stun Easton with a dramatic two-run home run to walk-off an 11-9 victory.
Easton came out hot in the top of the first, setting the tone early. Ruben Elias (Chino Hills, CA | 2031) blasted a two-run homerun to give Easton the lead 2-0. Followed by a solo shot from Jayden Portes (Ft. Myers, FL | 2030) to add another run making the score 3-0. The next 3 runs all came from RBI singles. With two outs, starting pitcher Lucas Diaz (Tampa, FL | 2031) loaded the bases for Juju Imosimato (Miami, FL | 2031) to send a three-run double to center field.
The offensive fireworks ended in the top of the first, as the Rawlings bullpen took control and limited Easton to 0 runs the remainder of the game.
Easton Metzelaars (Charlotte, NC | 2031) had an impressive start on the mound for team Easton with a shutout inning. It didn’t take long before Rawlings started their comeback. In the bottom of the second inning, Angel Gomez (Lehigh Acres, FL | 2031) sent a three-run homerun over center field to cut the lead 9-3.
Kian Madani (Tampa, FL | 2031) came in relief, throwing 4 and ⅓ innings with 7 strikeouts, surrendering no hits. “I like to zone out on the mound,” Madani explained, “and then it helps me focus in on the moments of the game.”
Daylon McCants (Jacksonville, FL | 2030) launched a two-run homer to cut the gap 9-5. Heading into the bottom of the sixth with the score 9-6, Rawlings down to their last three outs, needed someone to get the momentum started.
Jordan Acosta (Miami, FL | 2031) came up to the plate and delivered a three-run blast to tie the game 9-9. “It means a lot, we know we’re winning,” Acosta said, “Even if we’re losing by nine.”
Moments later, Liam Patrick (Canton, GA | 2031) sent the knockout blow, a two-run walk off homer to seal the comeback win for the Rawlings Army. “I was looking for a base hit, something simple,” Patrick said, “and I ran into a homerun.”
Final Score: Rawlings Army 11, Easton Army 9
Rawlings Army stunned Easton Army in another gritty comeback to take game two of the War Games series, 8-5. A go-ahead three-run blast from Angel Gomez and a game-ending double play by closing pitcher Tripp Gill (Savannah, GA | 2031).
Easton Army came out swinging early to jump to a 4-2 lead after the first inning, fueled by aggressive baserunning and early miscues. Easton Army starter Ruben Elias was lights out, striking out six over four innings, allowing just one hit.
Rawlings Army kept it close heading into the third inning trailing 5-3. The turning point was set in motion in the top of the fifth when Jace Winston delivered an RBI single to cut the lead to one.
Angel Gomez saved the day with a three-run blast, flipping the momentum to give Rawlings a 7-5 lead. “It felt really cool and amazing to be in that moment,” said Gomez.
The next inning Michael Wedgeworth (Flomaton, AL | 2030) added an insurance run, blasting a solo shot to give Rawlings the 8-5 lead. While Easton Army fought to place two runners on with one out. Tripp Gill secured the win on a dramatic double play. Gill tossed three strong innings in relief, allowing a single hit with two strikeouts.
“I had to stay locked in, even though they were chirping,” said Gill. “It feels great to come in against the best players in the country and close the door.”
With the win, Rawlings Army wins the inaugural War Games Championship after two gritty comeback wins.
Final Score: Rawlings Army 8, Easton Army 5
Watch the replay of the Home Run Derby or games one and two of the series on USSSA Baseball YouTube channel (@USSSABB) or by CLICKING HERE
Article by Tori Fletcher, USSSA
