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Tournaments  | Championship  | 6/25/2019

DRB triumphs in title game

Autumn Jones     
Photo: DRB Elite 15u (Perfect Game)

FORT MYERS, Fla. – An impressive revival in the sixth inning provided DRB not only the lead over the same opponent that finished off pool play, but a deserving championship title. DRB Elite 15u overcame Florida Burn Orlosky 6-4 Tuesday afternoon to receive PG 15u World Series Qualifier titleholders.

Consequently, elite is how one could describe this talented Alpharetta, Ga.-based team who did not receive a bid coming in this tournament, only to come out strong.

The team advanced to the championship ready to face the No. 2 overall seed for the second time, Florida Burn 2022 Orlosky. The Burn came into the game undefeated and having shut out their previous opponent in the semifinals, outscoring teams 52-8 in the tournament. That included defeating DRB Elite in pool play by a score of 13-2.

But DRB was able to hit and run their way into a chance at the playoffs, perhaps a victorious one. Besides, a special duo pitched in, twin brothers Caleb Fordham and Brayden Fordham.

The McDonough, Georgia boys excelled on the mound this weekend; Brayden earned the championship victory, and Caleb received the tournament’s MV-Pitcher.

Brayden allowed two hits and two walks while striking out four batters in his 2 2/3 innings. The righthander had good movement to his fastball consistently in the 78-81 mph range and complemented it with a 64 mph curveball. Nonetheless, Caleb had a solid pitching effort in both opener and semifinals. Caleb who is also a righthander and high follow, allowed only three hits and three walks, while striking out six in his eight total innings.  

“This means a lot for myself and my team. It’s really a big step for our team, we all worked together really well," added Caleb. “We’ve been working for this for a long time (winning a tournament) especially coming off a loss to them earlier in the tournament, it’s just really big for us.”

DRB Elite 15u are coached by director Ryan Dunn and he believes Caleb’s strongest asset to be his dedication and calls him a “fighter.”

“Caleb, he’s unbelievable, he’s a fighter," said Dunn. "He goes out there every pitch and gives 100 percent every single time. He never lets down and he’s playing up. So, he’s stepping up a whole other level right now and still mowing these guys down. He’s got a great future ahead of him.” 

Chandler Klein (2022, Hoschton, Ga.) came in the game as a relief allowing two hits and five walks, while striking out four in his 2 1/3 innings. The primary outfielder was also solid on the offensive end going 1-for-2 in the game with two scored runs.

Essential hits from Jonathan Hall-Thompson allowed DRB to receive over half of their runs in their remarkable sixth inning. Hall, who is also ranked a High Follow, went 2-for-2 with a run scored. Additionally, Miles Jackson (2021, Atlanta, Ga.) assisted offensively, going 1-for-3 with a run scored and collected the team’s set of RBIs.

MVP was earned by Florida Burn Orlosky’s William Wiltshire. The primary outfielder from Fort Myers produced exceptional results throughout the tournament. Wiltshire collected nine hits, three scored runs, five RBI, a double and a triple.

“This is my first-time winning MVP; I’ve luckily played in a bunch of Perfect Game tournaments. Its honestly awesome," said Wiltshire. "Our team played a great game today, we played great the whole tournament. We have a great coach and my teammates are awesome. No errors – can’t ask for much more. Also, great pitching performances from all of our pitchers.”

To coach Dunn, winning this tournament was everything and coming in bid-less made the battle to get win that much more special.

“We came down here with a goal,"concluded Dunn. "Perfect Game sent us down here to get the bid so we had one goal this year: to come down here and play our best ball, period. The boys stepped up and did a great job. We had great team meetings and they were focused from start to finish."

This Elite squad’s goal was favorably achieved, “World Series Here We Come!” shouted the team during closing ceremonies. In effect, they will receive a paid berth to the PG 15u World Series in Sanford, Fla. at the Boombah Sports Complex July 20-24. 

 2019 PG 15u World Series Qualifier Finalist: Florida Burn 2022 Orlosky


2019 PG 15u World Series Qualifier MVP: William Wiltshire


2019 PG 15u World Series QualifierMVPitcher: Caleb Fordham 
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