The 2010 Diamond Rats were 1-1 and 1 this weekend at the heat Showcase Tournament at Appalachian St. Brad Zebidis had 7 RBI on the weekend including a walk off, 2 run bomb to beat the South Charlotte Panthers 9-8 in the finale on Sunday at Alexander Central HS.

In game one the D’Rats faced Scott Bankhead’s Golden Spikes from Greensboro. Olen Little went 5 strong innings on the mound giving up just 2 runs on 2 hits. Brad Zebidis went 3 for 3 including a homerun blast to left center field. Unfortunately the game ended at two apiece after 7 innings.

Game 2 had the Diamond Rats up against the On Deck O’s 17’s. Jim Mitchell pitched 4 innings giving up 3 earned runs. Seth Dey was 2 for 3, Justin Ide was 2 for 4 and Brad Zebidis pounded his second home run of the day. The D’Rats failed to hold the lead and lost 12 to 10 in 7 innings.

Sunday’s games were rearranged due to overnight rains. The Diamond Rats faced the South Charlotte Panthers 17U at Alexander Central HS. Michael Atz pitched the first four innings. Michael was very effective spotting his fastball and relying on a sharp breaking ball to keep the Panthers bats quiet after a tough first inning. Bruce Neal was effective through 4 innings, and matt Walzer earned his first save throwing a solid ninth inning in relief. Zach McKelvey had a great game at the plate going 2 for 4. Corey Melton notched his first home run as a D’Rat. Leighton Daniels was 1 for 2 and Zebidis closed the show with his walk off bomb in the ninth.