Erie Outlaws Baseball Organization

 

The 17U Erie Outlaws Black came back to the Cap Classic after an absence in the 2017 tournament to get their crown back they claimed in 2016.

 

 In the 2016 Championship held at Coca-Cola ballpark home of the Toronto Blue Jays Triple-A affiliate Buffalo Bison the Outlaws were lead by Rockne Seidel who threw a seven-inning complete game earning the win verse hometown New Era Prospects 6-4. Erie was lead on offense by Alex Baldi who was 3-3, had three RBI's and Seidel who went 2-3 at the plate in the title game. 

 

Baldi finished the 2016 tournament 11-15 with a staggering .733 avg and adding 7 walks for OB % of .818 earning MVP honors. Seidel was 9-22 .409 AVG and earning a win in the decisive game. Teammates Jimmy Colvin and Jaydin Vavreck both batted .412 going 7-17 at the Classic.

 

2016 New Era Cap Classic Champions (Above)

 

The 2018 High School division tournament started off with a battle of heavyweights between the Americans and the Outlaws at Niagara Stadium. In a low scoring game which only had 6 combined hits, Erie won 3-1. Behind winning pitcher, Colvin who threw 5 innings picking up the win on the hill. Baldi lead the offense with two base hits.

 

Erie then pounded the Seneca Stars12-1. The Black squad was lead by Nick Rinella who was 3 for 3 and scoring two runs. Seidel and Dylan Proctor both chipped in two hits apiece and scoring twice. The Colin brothers handled the pitching duties with Kelly picking up the victory and Watts closing out the last three innings.

 

Erie then earned a forfeit victory against Team Valle from Rochester, NY.

 In the trap game of the day, Erie Outlaws tied the Bulletproof Prospects from Niagara Falls, Canada 4-4. Paul "Fats" Causgrove lead the offense with three hits and two RBI's. Colvin added two base knocks. Despite the tie  Erie earned the number two seed in the 23 team event.

Sunday the single elimination tournament began with another big win vs the Seneca Stars, who were the #7 Seed going 3 & 1 in pool play. The Stars were trying to avenge their only loss of the tournament by the hands of the Outlaws but once again the bats of the Outlaws were too much mercy ruling the Stars 10-1. Colin Watts earned the complete game win. Seidel blasted a three-run home run. Baldi had two singles scoring two runs. 

 

At St. Joe's field the Outlaw fans were treated to the best game of the day. After The West Toronto Elite took the lead 6-5 in the top of the 6th inning on a bases-loaded clearing double. Kelly came in relief to strand two runners but needed an outstanding play from catcher Brock Conn who threw out an attempted bunt to end the rally. In the bottom of that frame Erie wasn't phased by giving up a four run lead and answered the bell with two singles by Causgrove and Proctor with two outs. Then Luke Moon clutched up and tied the game at six with a line drive single to center field and turned the lineup over to the top were Baldi delivered a ground rule double plating Proctor for the winning run. Kelly shut down the 7th inning in order to advance the Outlaws to the Championship game. Baldi was 3-3, Causgrove, Proctor, and Moon all had two hits apiece to power Erie.

 

The Championship game played at beautiful DI Canisius College was between the Academy Stars Showcase team and the Erie Outlaws 17U Black. 

DEJA VA happened just like in 2016 for the Outlaws because Seidel and Baldi lead the way for the champs. Seidel was shut down on the mound only allowing 3 hits, adding three hits of his own and two RBI's. Baldi continued his hot stick going 2-2 scoring three runs. The final big blow was from Kelly who hit a bases-loaded clearing double for a walk-off 9-1 win to capture the 2018 New Era Cap Classic Title. 

 

 

 

 

Alex Baldi was 12-20  with three walks batting .600 scoring 9 runs. Rockne Seidel batted .412 going 7-17, Dylan Proctor was 7-14 going .500. Also adding seven hits were Paul Causgrove and Nick Rinella. 

 

 

Erie Outlaws 17U Black finished its season with a 17-1-1 record.