Team Harford County Bound for Cal Ripken U.S. Championship Game

The following statement was released by Ripken Baseball representatives on Thursday, Aug. 14.

Today the Cal Ripken World Series hosted the U.S. and International semifinals at the Ripken Experience powered by Under Armour complex in Aberdeen, featuring 11 and 12-year-old youth baseball players from around the world.

The Cal Ripken World Series is where the world comes to play, the Ripken Way, and is the culminating tournament of the Babe Ruth League’s 12u Cal Ripken Division. The World Series unites the 10 best teams from across the United States and 8 international teams, including newly added competition from New Zealand and Puerto Rico. Team Japan will return as the three-time defending Cal Ripken World Series Champions.

In its first U.S. semifinal appearance, Team Harford County shocked the world and proved that these hometown heroes have what it takes to win it all.

Leading off, Garrett “G-Money” McIlhenney singled and later stole second and third. Next up, Phil “Freight Train” Winfield singled as Hunter Wright came in to double driving in two runs. Taking the mound for Harford County, Colton Knoble struck out one batter and forced a pop fly to Winfield in left field to end the first.

In the top of the second, Team Maryland forced three pop flies in a row to stun the Harford County bats. Later, McIlhenney singled and stole two bases again. Winfield was walked and later caught in a run down, opening an opportunity for McIlhenney to take home. Next up, Knoble shot a laser through the center-left field gap for a double and was later driven in by Bobby “South Paw” Duffy to make the score 4-1.

The infield from Team Harford County experienced a breakdown allowing four runs, as Team Maryland would take a 5-4 lead. Heroics from game MVP Tyler Schimming set a precedent for the rest of the game as his numerous strikeouts helped lead Team Harford County to a victory.

“We’ve been there before…and they know that they can overcome anything,” Coach Russell Metz said of the turnaround after a costly error-filled inning.

Schimming later homered over the center-left field wall to tie the game, giving Team Harford County a boost of confidence to swing the momentum in their favor. Andrew Rickard would later shoot the gap for a single as Grant Duemmel bunted and made it to first off a hustle play. Team Maryland would end up walking Winfield, loading the bases for Wright. An RBI double from Wright would clear the bases giving Team Harford County an 8-5 advantage.

A sacrifice bunt by Team Maryland would bring in a runner in the bottom of the fourth, but still give Team Harford County an 8-6 edge. In the top of the fifth with two on, a wild pitch from Team Maryland would clear the way for Grant Duemmel and McIlhenney to take home. With the score 10-6, Winfield would also return home on another wild pitch making the score 11-6.

In the bottom of the fifth, Schimming would take the mound and give up three runs. Ryan “Shack Attack” Ishak ended the damage with a spectacular catch running toward the center field wall. Schimming brought the heat in the last inning and displayed incredible fielding skills to lead Team Harford County to the U.S. Championship.

The championship games on Aug. 15 and August 16 will be televised live on CBS Sports Network and include commentary by Cal Ripken.

Coverage begins with the U.S. Championship at 5 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 15; and the International Championship follows at 7:30 p.m. The World Championship begins at 8 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 16.

Photo Credit: Screenshot from YouTube video by Ripken Baseball