(Youth1) - After winning the CABA World Series in their first season together, The Upper Deck Cougars look to improve for 2012 and test their talents on a national level. They took a huge step in the right direction this weekend are off to a blazing start of to their 2011 season, winning their third-straight USSSA tournament without dropping a single game. In their most impressive performance yet, the Cougars earned a berth to the 2012 Elite 32 World Series, beating Tyler Baseball, McGuire Pro Source Athletics, East Texas Patriots, Texas Attack, and the North Texas Longhorns in the process.
Dylan Jones was the hero of game one, recording the go-ahead run in the bottom of the 6th before the time limit was reached after the final out of the inning. The last pool play game was smooth sailing for the Cougars thanks in large part to the pitching efforts of Ryan Sublette and Zach Mettetal, who combined for a no hitter in their 10-0 defeat of McGuire.
The Patriots gave the Cougars a run for their money in the first round of pool play, tying the game up at 2-2 in the 5th, but an RBI double by Calvin Greenfield gave the Cougars back the lead in the latter half of the inning. Greenfield then took to the mound and proceeded to protect the one-run lead by pitching the final inning of the game. Jones had a great game against the Patriots, going 3 for 3.
The semi-final game was a hit parade for the Cougars who run-ruled the Texas Attack by a final of 11-3. Four players recorded multi-hit games including Calvin Greenfield (3), Kyler Kopacz (2), Ryan Sublette (2), and Nick DiCarlo (2).
The Cougars sealed their tournament fate with another one-run victory, this time beating the North Texas Longhorns 2-1 in walk-off fashion. Dan Voz got the start on the hill with four innings pitched and only four hits and one earned run. Greenfield took to the mound for the final two innings and again showed his ability as a closer, striking out three batters with no runs allowed. The game was all tied up at one in the bottom of the 7th when Tyler Mettetal came up with a big hit to score the winning run from 3rd to close out the tournament.
The Cougars improved to a perfect 14-0 in USSSA tournament play, using excellent pitching and defense to hold teams to just over two runs per game.
The Cougars, managed by Derek Kopacz, include A.J. Ashley, Vinny Baez, Nick DiCarlo, Calvin Greenfield, Dylan Jones, Kyler Kopacz, Tyler Mettetal, Zach Mettetal, Matt Schroer, Ryan Sublette, Daniel Voz, and Peter Voz.
By Matt Carl
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