The DC Metro Red team defeated the DC Metro Royal team in the final game by a score of 13-8 to win the inaugural Baltimore/Washington Invitational World Series put on by Team One/Baseball Factory. The Red team won all three of its games en route to capturing the tournament title.

The Red team was lead by several top-performers including pitchers Keith Hessler (LHP Springbrook HS) and Matt Sliwiak (RHP Gonzaga) who reached 91 MPH and 89 MPH, respectively. Shortstop Gabriel Ortiz (Notre Dame Academy) also impressed audiences with his offensive power and remarkable defense.

The weekend kicked off with a showcase on Friday followed by two days of competitive play. The tournament, which was held from June 16-June 18 at Baseball Factory Field on the campus of the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC), featured top high school players from the Baltimore, DC, and Northern Virginia areas. Players represented their regions and displayed their skills by competing in the three-day event.

The series brought together 66 of the top players from across the Mid-Atlantic region to perform in front of 25 college coaches and professional scouts including representatives from the Atlanta Braves, Chicago White Sox, Cincinnati Reds, Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Mets, University of Maryland, University of Virginia, and George Mason University.

Mike Croniger, coach of the DC Metro Red team and long-time baseball instructor, called the first-ever BWI World Series “a huge success for Baseball Factory and the kids.” Giving local high school baseball players an opportunity to come together and be exposed to college coaches was something that was sorely needed in the Mid-Atlantic region. He added, “Anytime you have a group of scouts come out and watch the kids play … it’s a great opportunity.”

John Perko of the Baseball Factory who oversaw the weekend event was “thrilled with the success of the inaugural BWI World Series.” With all the positive feedback they received from participants, parents, and coaches, Team One and Baseball Factory are already planning to hold the event again next year.  “We look forward to building on the success of this year’s event and continuing to showcase local talent on a national scale.”

The BWI World Series sought to foster healthy competition between the two metropolitan areas by building on the growing rivalry between the Baltimore Orioles and the Washington Nationals. Additionally, the series served as a platform for players to receive exposure from some of that nation’s top scouts and college coaches.

To view the complete listing of all college coaches and professional scouts that attended, please open the file below.