The 13U Riverview Ravens, coached by Rich Lee, are proud to bring home the 4th place trophy from the NBC World Series, held July 22-29 in Tunica, Mississippi.

The team was greeted by a southern heat wave, driving temperatures into the 105-110 degree range with 100 percent humidity. The boys faced challenging temperatures, insects and formidable competition.

The Ravens began pool play on Friday, July 22, facing the Tennessee Gamblers, a tri-state team. The Ravens’ pitching staff struggled in the first game due to excessive sweating hands, but was able to make adjustments once a resin bag was delivered to the mound. Unfortunately, the Gamblers made the same adjustment and won with a final score of 3-2.

Next, the Ravens defeated the Ripley Tigers: Ravens 15, Ripley 2. The final game of pool play was against the Cincinnati, Ohio, Hurricanes. The Ravens acclimated to the heat and the southern strike zone, beating the Hurricanes 15-2. Concluding pool play, the Ravens were ranked the #6 seed out of 18 teams.

The first opponent in the double elimination bracket was the #11 Oklahoma A’s. The Ravens blew past the A’s, defeating them 17-2. The Ravens then faced the #3 Arkansas Lasers and current #1 USSSA team in the nation, which includes three National Pepsi Cola players. The Ravens came up short against the Pepsi Cola pitchers, losing 3-7. With one loss in a double elimination tourney, the Ravens had a challenging road ahead.

On day six of the tourney, the Ravens were pitted to play a triple header, needing to win all three games in order to see day seven. The first opponent was the Greenville Hitmen from Mississippi. The Ravens pounded the rock and eliminated Greenville 13-1.

Next was the Pittsburgh All-Stars. The Ravens’ pitching staff slammed the door, eliminating Pittsburgh by throwing a combined no-hitter/shutout: Ravens 15, Pittsburgh 0. The Ravens escaped the heat for a few hours and returned to play their third game of the day under the lights. Their opponent was the #4 Tennessee Gamblers, who had also been tearing up the competition and eliminating teams.

The game was a pitching duel, going four innings without either team scoring runs.

However, the Gamblers got into serious trouble in the 5th inning with bases loaded and only one out. A Ravens suicide squeeze play scored the first run of the game. The Ravens exploded, driving in six more runs before the Gamblers could put out the fire. The Ravens prevailed, sending the stunned Gamblers home.

The Ravens made NBC World Series history by being the first team to ever pull off the impossible upset by winning three games in one day and knocking off a higher seed.

On July 28, only four teams remained standing, the Ravens being one of them. During a nationally broacasted Atlanta Braves game the final four NBC World Series teams were announced. The boys were overwhelmed with pride to hear the “Washington Ravens” called off and congratulated.

In the final round, the Ravens faced the dreaded Arkansas Lasers one more time, playing for 3rd or 4th place. The game was tied 6 to 6 in the bottom of the 7th inning. Unfortunately, a rip down the third base line gave up the go-ahead run to the Lasers, defeating the Ravens 7-6. Several opponents presented the Ravens with admired applause as they proudly accepted their 4th place trophies.

They will never forget being part of the much-admired “final four” teams. Through determination and support from the players, parents and community, a dream came true for 13 very talented and deserving baseball players.

Prior to the NBC World Series, the Ravens qualified to participate in the Sandy Koufax State Tournament. The team eliminated the #2 Rainiers and #4 Mill Creek to secure being crowned 3rd in state.