June 21, 2025
By Adam Burns
VALLEY, Neb. — The 6-4-3 DP organization out of Marietta, Georgia has a name that glorifies the ever-so-important double play. But the 6-4-3 DP Cougars 13U team is showing off their strongest quality this week during the third session of the Omaha Slumpbuster— their bats.
The Cougars brought the boom to Omaha, racing off to a 3-0 start with a whopping 48 runs scored during pool play. That’s right, 48, capped by a 20-1 victory over the previously unbeaten California Prospects Friday morning at the 1st Interstate Bank Sports Complex. What’s more, 6-4-3 DP also tallied 20 total runs on its way to two warm-up wins on Wednesday.
How’d they do it? It’s quite simple, according to the Cougars’ Reid McClain.
“We all have the mindset of taking it one at-bat at a time,” McClain said. “And then we’re aggressive early in the counts. Our coaches talk to us a lot about mindset. As a team, we’re aggressive and remember that the small things build up and can help us go far. With that and our positive body language, we think we can go far in this tournament.”
So, yes, it’s fair to say the Georgia-based squad remembered to bring its bats to Omaha. Not that its leader is surprised.
“We have an exceptionally good hitting team that includes five switch hitters. They are disciplined and know how to work counts,” said John Forte, head coach of 6-4-3 DP Cougars. “I’m super proud of them and their approach this week. We have 14 kids who are in the weight room at least twice a week. Eleven of them are football players and multi-sport athletes and we spend a lot of time talking about nutrition. We drill it hard.”
Knox Bauer led the Cougars’ offense with three hits and three RBI, including a triple and two singles. Landry Lewis also had three hits — including a double and triple — and drove in a trio of runs.
Grayson Lightsey and Colt Cotter combined for four innings of 1-run ball, allowing just two hits and a walk. Lightsey posted two strikeouts and Colt Cotter punched out one. Cam Fossyl had a double, two total hits and an RBI.
The California Prospects were no slouch during pool play, as they earned two run-rule wins and scored 25 total runs on Wednesday.
Ian Susson and William Downen had the lone hits for the Prospects against 6-4-3 DP.
But pool play belonged to the Cougars, who are seeking their first Slumpbuster title in their first trip to Omaha as a group.
“As a team we’ve been playing really well. We’ve been able to bond as a team, and I think that’s strengthened our team. We’re able to string together hits and score some runs, and I think we can win it,” McClain said.
When asked if his squad can win the whole thing, Forte said: “Oh, for sure. We like to think that Georgia baseball is as good as anybody and we can compete. So let’s see what we got.”
They’ll find out soon enough. The Cougars earned the No. 2 seed in the top 13u playoff bracket and start Saturday with a game against No. 15 Blueline American (Valencia, CA).
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