The Field Narrows in the Hunt for the Hendricks Cup
This year’s division 1 bracket featured many familiar perennial powerhouses, all of which have made it to Division 1 at least once before. Of the eight teams in the quarterfinals today, only the Richmond Patriots and Carrollton Storm have not made it to an HWSA championship game before. Four of the teams have won championships in prior years (Dallas Angels, Tulsa Jaguars, St. Louis Patriots, Houston Falcons).
Quarterfinal action was full of highlights on Thursday. The Carrollton Storm got off to a fast start and secured an 8-2 victory over the Charlotte Stampede, who had played in a Q game replay earlier that same morning.
The Richmond Patriots hung with the Houston Falcons for several innings, before surrendering more runs late in the game to fall 7-2.
The Tulsa Jaguars and St. Louis Patriots met in a rematch of last year’s championship game. Tulsa was in command 3-1 for most of the contest, but St. Louis came from behind in the top of the 7th to score 3 runs, and hung on for the 4-3 victory.
In another thrilling matchup, the Dallas Angels and Raleigh Warriors were locked at 1-1 through 7 innings. In the top of the 8th, Dallas managed to get the bases loaded and score a lone run off of a hit by pitch. The Angels were able to record three outs in the bottom half of the frame to clinch a 2-1 victory over the Warriors.
Friday’s semifinal matchups will feature the Houston Falcons vs. Dallas Angels, and the Carrollton Storm vs. St. Louis Patriots.
