Pittsburgh Pirates Nike RBI brings the drama to '23 Nike RBI World Series

VERO BEACH, Fla. -- The Pittsburgh Pirates Nike RBI struck the first big blow in the senior division of the 2023 Nike RBI World Series on Monday, and they did it in dramatic fashion.

Coach Rich Thom’s squad, from the western side of the Keystone State, scored four times in the bottom of the sixth inning, rallying for a 5-3 victory over Curacao Nike RBI at Holman Stadium at the Jackie Robinson Training Complex in the tournament’s first contest.

Thom said it was a bonus to play in the opening game.

“Your boys are upbeat, and it’s momentum coming out of the first game [with a win],” Thom said. “These guys are ready -- they could play another game right now.

“You’re playing champions from all over the United States and the world, so every game is going to be hard.”

It looked dire for the Pirates late in the opener on the famous diamond where so many legendary Dodgers played.

With Pittsburgh down 3-1 and all the momentum seemingly on Curacao’s side after Curacao scored twice in the fourth and once in the fifth, Thom called on CJ Jackson to lay down a bunt against lefty reliever Shurik Mouricia (0-1) with runners on first and second and no outs.

But Curacao’s first baseman threw to third on the bunt, skipping the ball by the bag and allowing both runners to score for the tie, and the potential go-ahead run to reach third.

“Listen, we weren’t hitting the ball really well, so we had to find some weakness in their game,” said Thom, whose team couldn’t figure out Curacao starter Gyasi Isenia until the sixth. “You get two guys on, you've got to find a way to get them in. You get them in scoring position and anything can happen.

“A bunt gets laid down in a good spot, bad throw, and you score two runs. Our motto all year has been 'One pitch, one inning, one game at a time.' That’s what we did here today.”

Two batters later, Pirates second baseman Garett White lined a one-out tiebreaking single to center. A two-out hit to third allowed pinch-runner Isaiah Morrison to cross the plate with an insurance marker.

“I just wanted to make solid contact and put it in play and hope the runner scored,” said White, a senior-to-be at Brashear High School in the Beechview neighborhood of Pittsburgh.

“Little guys bring you big hits,” Thom said of the 5-foot-7, 130-pound White.

Pittsburgh went 3-1 in the Mid-Atlantic region in games played in Philadelphia and New Jersey en route to its third consecutive senior division championship tournament.

“It’s a great core,” Thom said. “Great leadership at the top, and the kids at the bottom are willing to listen and learn and take advantage of what’s being passed along from the top.”

Starting pitcher John Demore (1-0) crafted all seven innings in the 90-plus Treasure Coast temperatures and humidity, allowing three runs (two earned) but pitching out of occasional jams.

A strapping 6-foot-4 right-hander who is joining the Air Force and hopes to pitch for the Falcons, Demore worked ahead in the count most of his outing, not overpowering the Curacao team but working the corners and keeping the ball in play.

He yielded five hits but was at his best at the end, retiring the final eight batters he faced.

In the bottom of a sixth frame that was as lengthy as it was decisive, Demore had to wait through two pitching changes, the four runs and resting in the dugout in the oppressive weather.

But he wasn’t deterred.

“It’s mostly mental, but once you get past the mental barrier, it’s a breeze,” Demore said. “Even though it’s really hot, you’ve got to stay hydrated; your body will feel right and do your thing.

“I try to get first-pitch strikes always and work around the batter.”

He wasn’t surprised that his club was able to erase its two-run deficit.

“We had a tournament in Philly, and we worked as a team the whole time and came back a couple of times,” said Demore.

“I had faith in my boys there.”

Senior Division (ages 16-18) results, July 31:

Pittsburgh Pirates Nike RBI (1-0) defeats Curaçao Nike RBI (0-1), 5-3

Atlanta Braves Nike RBI (1-0) defeats Arizona Diamondbacks Nike RBI (0-1), 12-3

The following games were suspended due to inclement weather:

Houston Astros Nike RBI vs Cincinnati Reds Nike RBI (Suspended/Postponed)

Newark Nike RBI vs Chicago White Sox Nike RBI (Suspended/Postponed)

All games in the Junior Division (ages 13-15) will begin on Tuesday.