Seth Tubbs makes contact for the Capitals during 11U All-Ripken game against the Revolution.

By Sean Reilly

The rosters for the All-Ripken Games offer a mix of players who are making a first-ever visit to Diamond Nation, and others who have competed at the complex for their travel teams.

Then there are ones like Liam Schenkel and Ryan Beardsley, who play year-round at ‘The Nation’ as members of hometown Diamond Jacks 11U. 

That familiarity has come in handy this week, as they’ve temporarily put aside their black and gold Diamond Jacks jerseys to dress in blue and white while competing for Team Capitals at the Ripken Games, a unique four-day event designed to showcase outstanding young talent. 

The Capitals won twice on Wednesday afternoon to finish unbeaten in the pool play while earning the top seed in the four-team Thursday playoffs. 

After defeating the Patriots, 9-1, in their opener on Tuesday, the Capitals won two more games on Wednesday afternoon. The first game was a 12-7 win over the Nationals, followed by a 14-4 victory over the Revolution.

James Cooke connects on a double for the Nationals during an 11U All-Ripken contest.

In the game against the Nationals, Schenkel hit a go-ahead two-run single, drew a walk and scored twice. He also pitched one inning. 

“It’s a little different playing with other guys,” Schenkel said. “It’s fun getting to know them, and we’re also winning.” 

The Capitals had to come from behind to beat the Nationals, who have the No. 3 seed for the playoffs. 

The Nationals established that lead by scoring three times in the top of the first. James Cooke got things started with a one-out double, and Cooke scored when Landon Humkey followed with an RBI single which sent him to second after a throw. After a pop out to the pitcher, Michael Magazzu hit a run-scoring double to center. Magazzu moved to third on a wild pitch, and scored the third run on another wild pitch. 

The Capitals went ahead after scoring seven runs in the second, which is the maximum allowed under All-Ripken rules. 

Luca Galati doubled with one out, and scored as Nick Leung reached on an error. Beardsley singled to shortstop and Ryan McDaniel was safe on an error which cut the deficit to 3-2. 

Schenkel was up next, and he kept the line moving with a two-run single to center for a one-run lead. 

“I wanted to keep it going and was just looking to hit the ball,” he said. 

After a walk to Braylon Robinson, Schenkel scored on a wild pitch before Chase Yankanich also walked. Jack Guszack singled to load the bases. Graham Davis was hit by a pitch to bring in a run, and Ryder Wald walked to score Yankanich with the run that ended the inning.

Jack Guszack dives safely into third base for the Capitals. 

The Capitals extended the lead to 10-3 by scoring three runs after the first two batters were retired in the fourth. 

Beardsley (2-for-2) singled to left field. He stole two bases and scored on a wild pitch. McDaniel and Schenkel walked, with McDaniel scoring on a wild pitch and Robinson delivering a single to center which brought in Schenkel. 

The Nationals scored three in the fourth to close within 10-6. Walks to Christian Paolillo, Cole Hendershot and Benicio Cuevas loaded the bases with two out. Maddox Menge hit a two-run single to center, and John O’Hara added a single to shortstop to score the other run. 

The Capitals used a long ball to expand their lead in the fifth. Wald walked with one out, and after a strikeout, Chase Crowe hit a home run over the fence in left field. 

The Nationals scored the last run in the bottom of the fifth, which was the final inning due to the expiration of the 1:45 play clock. Charlie Johnson led off the inning with a walk, advanced on two wild pitches, and scored when Carl Beckett doubled to center with two out.