The Birmingham Giants making the organizations second trip to the Baseball heaven fields of the field of dreams in Dubuque, Iowa swept through the competition on the playing field and in the skills competition help at the actual Field of Drams movie site.
After a slow start in their first game, the Giants found themselves in an early 4-1 deficit. Jarod Latta started the game on the mound, striking out 3 over 2 innings, before being relieved by Egan Lowery(6-3), who struck out 6 in 3 shutout innings. At the plate, the Giants used a 9 hit 13 run attack to defeat the Illinois Predators 13-4. Hits from Carson Berry (2), Sylas Amick (1), Jarod Latta (2b), KJ Beck (3b), John. Pickens (1), JB Landrum (1), and Dez Kemp (2, 1 2b) to continued the organization mastery over Illinois, with it’s all time mark of 9-0.
In Game 2 of pool play, the Giants faced the Nationals from Iowa. John Pickens (6-7) started the game on the hill, striking out 4 over 2 innings, before being relieved by Carson Berry, who struck out the side, and Sylas Amick who struck out 2 in his 1 inning of work, becoming just the 3rd Giants pitcher to notch 100 strike outs in a season (Julia Petty, Mikey McGuire). The Giants produced 9 runs on 6 hits including a Home Run from Sylas Amick, his 10th on the year. Other hits came from Carson Berry (1), Gavin Clanton (1), Jarod Latta (2, 1 2b), and John Pickens (2). The win seated the Giants first.
With the completion of pool play, the Giants traveled to the Field of Dreams movie site in
Dyersville Iowa to compete in the skills competition, and much like they did on the Field, the Giants swept all the events. Sylas Amick won the Home a Run Derby , with Jarod Latta finishing 2nd, KJ Beck won the Speed Contest, with Carson Berry Finishing 2nd, and John Pickens 3rd. In the relay, JB Landrum, Carson Berry, Egan Lowery, Dez Kemp, John Pickens, and Gavin Clanton led the Giants to the fastest time.
In the Championship game, the Giants again faced the Iowa Nationals. Sylas Amick (9-2)started the game, striking out 5 in an inning and 2/3, before being relieved by Dez Kemp, who worked 1 inning while striking out 2, before giving way to Gavin Clanton, JB Landrum, Jarod Latta, Peyton Jackson, and KJ Beck in the 12-10 win.At the plate , Carson Berry had 4 hits, followed by Gavin Clanton (2), Sylas Amick (1), Jarod Latta (1), KJ Beck (2), John Pickens (1), JB Landrum (1), Egan. Lowry (1), Peyton Jackson (1), and Dez Kemp (1).
The win finished the Giants season with a first year record of 47-21-2.
