Riding strong pitching and hitting, the BBF Lions scored a momentous win for the United Kingdom, thrashing the Ohio Valley regional champions 14-1 on Tuesday in the first game of their knockout round at the Babe Ruth 13-16 World Series.
“This is the United Kingdom’s first win over an American team on U.S. soil,” said head coach Ian Griebenow, whose BBF Lions hold the United Kingdom’s berth in the tournament. “All 17 players took the field in this historic win, and all 17 are GB national team pathway players.
“It’s a proud moment and every player got to experience this win as part of the team on the field. For that, I’m truly grateful as a head coach, and it meant so much to be able to experience the victory with my coaching staff.”
The Lions were in control of this game from the get-go, with starting pitcher Liam Eneas continuing to impress in this tournament. Eneas went 22/3 innings, allowing only a leadoff single and then dominating opposing hitters with his 80 mph fastball. Eneas struck out five of the nine batters he faced, throwing just 28 pitches – 22 of them strikes.
Conor Michalowski came on in relief for 12/3 innings, allowing just one run and two hits, and striking out three. Like Eneas, Michalowski was throwing strikes with abandon – 20 out of histotal 24 pitches, in fact. Noah McCurdy closed the game with a single pitch, a grounder that resulted in a lightning quick double play by the Lions’ defence.
The Lions offence was out in force, too, and gave their pitchers all the help they needed to win this game handily.
Kyle Griebenow shone at the plate, driving in five runs, including a two-run homer to left field in the fourth inning. That made the score an insurmountable 13-0 and followed a two-RBI double in the second inning, scoring Ted Conway and Oliver Galvin.
Griebenow tried to stretch out his double en route to third, channelling football’s Three Lions with some fancy zigzag footwork on the basepads. He couldn’t avoid the tag in the end, but the spirited play was emblematic of the Lions’ aggressive base running throughout the game.
The Lions also got strong offensive performances from Galvin, who went 2-for-2, Conway (a double and three runs scored), and Owen Wagner, who knocked in two runs.
This was a complete victory with all players contributing to the Lions’ success under the broiling midday sun. The win advances the Lions to the semifinals of the tournament’s secondary bracket, with an early morning game on tap Thursday against Kelso, a U16 all-star team from Washington state.
Griebenow also offered words of support to Team Europe, which has a number of British players on its roster. Europe qualified to play in the higher bracket and plays a crucial knockout match on Thursday against Native Nations.
“I’d like to pass on our congratulations as United Kingdom wishing Europe nothing but the best in their quarterfinal clash (Thursday),” said Griebenow.
The Babe Ruth 13-16 World Series in Branson, Missouri, brings together champions from across the United States and the globe for one of youth baseball’s most prestigious events. The tournament wraps up on Saturday.