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Aberdeen IronBirds

Pacific Northwest Grabs No. 1 Seed, Defeats Harford County

August 3, 2016 - New York-Penn League (NYPL)
Aberdeen IronBirds News Release


Aberdeen, Md. - The final day of pool play at the 17th annual Cal Ripken World Series showcased a battle between the top two teams in the National 1 B Division, Team Pacific Northwest (Kennewick, Washington) and Team Harford County (Maryland), on Cal Sr.'s Yard.

The first three innings saw little action, the only score coming from Pacific Northwest off of a single and RBI double by Simeon Howard, giving Pacific Northwest a 1-0 lead. Pacific Northwest pitcher Connor Mendez struck out the first three up to bat in the second, shutting Harford County down. However, Harford County retaliated, catching two fly outs and recording one strikeout. The next inning-and-a-half mimicked the action, the game seeing no further scoring until the bottom of the fourth.

Pacific Northwest took advantage of pitching errors, scoring two due to multiple walks. A single RBI made the score 4-0 going into the fifth. Harford County was once again shut out in the inning, and Pacific Northwest's bats heated up. A two-RBI double and two singles put the team up 7-0.

Harford County attempted to make a comeback, loading the bases and scoring three during its last at bat. Pitching errors from Pacific Northwest and a fly-out single to right field allowed for the team to score three, but Mendez recorded his seventh strikeout to end the game.

Mendez won Ron Tellefsen Player of the Game honors, allowing just two hits and forcing seven strikeouts over five innings.

"This is normally where we're at; every time we're at a tournament we're in the championship," said Head Coach Brian Knapik. "To be the number one seed at this caliber of baseball is amazing, because you're playing against the whole United States, and eventually international teams as well."

With today's win, Pacific Northwest clinched a No. 1 seed for the U.S. semifinals.

DROPBOX LINK TO PHOTOS AND GAME HIGHLIGHTS:

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/cawu1ukl90varl2/AAASN6Wax9aZbtKYHhQdwFWla?dl0

Both Pacific Northwest (4-0) and Harford County (3-1) will head to the U.S. semifinal games tomorrow. Pacific Northwest will play the number two seed from the American 1 A Division, while Harford County will play Pacific Southwest (4-0), the number one seed in the American 1 A Division.

The Cal Ripken World Series is where the world comes to play, the Ripken Way, and serves as 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 eight international teams. Games will be played on the innovative fields at The Ripken Experience Aberdeen Powered By Under Armour complex, including Cal Sr.'s Yard, a two-thirds replica of Camden Yards.

Fans around the world will have the opportunity to watch free live broadcasts of the championship games on Fox Sports 2, as well as free live streaming options on MLB.com and FOXSportsGo.com. The championship games on August 5 and 6 will also include live commentary from MLB veteran and Emmy Award-winning sports broadcaster Bill Ripken.

For scores, highlights and a behind-the-scenes look into all CRWS action, fans can follow along on Twitter and Instagram (@CRWSAberdeen) and Facebook.com/CRWSAberdeen. For a complete schedule and additional tournament, visit www.ripkenbaseball.com/world_series.

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