Rent One took home the Parks Dept. Little League Tournament championship in dominating fashion on Friday at McLane Park. Backed behind electric hitting and staunch defense, Rent One forced a run rule after five innings, defeating YDM 13-2.
Joey Gillette got things rolling for Rent One in the top of the first. Gillette smacked a two-run double for the early 2-0 lead. YDM was unable to respond due to the steady pitching of Wyatt Lindsey, going three up and three down in the bottom of the inning.
The bats came alive for Rent One in the second inning. Leadoff hitter Avery Vernon thumped a double between two YDM infielders. Keghun Balz, Ethan Simpson and Chris DeLos Reyes were walked, scoring Vernon and pushing the lead to 3-0. Kyle Tubb stepped up to the plate and knocked out a game-defining triple, scoring Balz, Simpson and DeLos Reyes. Lindsey brought home Tubb with a double of his own and set up Rent One with a 7-0 lead at the conclusion of the half inning.
Rent One coach Joe Tubb knew that unlocking his team's hitting was the main key to the game. "The big is that our guys were able to hit the ball," he said. "That's been the main thing all year. If they hit the ball, then we're an awesome team."
YDM managed to put a run on the board after Cody Vandover led off the bottom of the second with a double. He reached home off of mishandled pitches from Rent One.
Lindsey noted that he played "good", but had a "little bit of trouble" in the second inning. He regained his composure, however, and sent the next three hitters to the dugout to end the inning.
YDM's inability to defend Rent One's dynamic offense resulted in a pitching change.
Gillette reached home in the top of the third inning, extending Rent One's lead 8-1. YDM's Hayden Jones scored off a Noah Sidney single, closing the gap 8-2. However, Lindsey's final inning on the mound proved too much and any hope of a run was quickly thwarted.
At the top of the fourth, YDM decided to switch pitchers once again, It ultimately proved inconsequential as doubles from Lindsey and Tubb -- along with a slew of stolen bases -- extended the Rent One lead 13-2.
"The three games we lost this year have been heartbreakers," Joe Tubb said. "The other games we've won by double digits. When they hit the ball like today, they're a tough team (to face)."
Tubb took over the mound from Lindsey in the bottom of the fourth and effectively sat down all three of the hitters he faced.
In contrast to the majority of the evening, Rent One's bats weren't working in the fifth and the team went three up and three down. Tubb came back in and retired three of the four YDM batters he faced, enforcing the run rule and winning the game 13-2.
Coach Tubb was impressed by the work of his two pitchers and believed they were the difference in the game. "We had Wyatt (Lindsey) starting off with some really awesome pitching," he said. "Then put Kyle Tubb in there to finish it out and he did really well."
Lindsey and Kyle Tubb were in agreement on the best part of the season.
"Having fun, playing with our teammates and getting the win."