The Dhahran Youth Baseball Association’s 10U tournament team, the Saudi Arabia Hawks, crossed the causeway on Nov. 14 to play two games against their counterparts in Bahrain. In the first game, the first two Hawks pitchers, Danny Adusei-Poku and Mason Montjoy, despite having what appeared to be pretty good stuff, struggled to find the mark against a tight strike zone called by game officials. The umpire opened up the plate in the third, though, and Mason Alles, Saudi Arabia’s third pitcher, took full advantage, sending the Bahrain hitters down in order. In the meantime, Nicholas Vereschagin and Sean Wilson led Saudi Arabia’s offensive charge, and Robert Johnstone, one of two Hawks from Ras Tanura, hit a two-run triple and then stole home with an impressive slide. Those late runs provided the Hawks with all the insurance they would need as Brent Coppage took the mound in the fourth to turn out the lights on the hosts, 14-8. The second game of the twin bill really saw the Saudi Arabian bats come to life as Tillman Klesner and Rowan Reid joined in, and all four Hawks’ pitchers — Tommy Parlatore, Carter Spencer, Zachary Burch, and Ryker Aebi — proved too much for Bahrain to handle. The play of the game came in the third when a Bahrain batter hit a sharp ground ball to first and Oliver Vereschagin fielded it cleanly and stepped on first base, then threw a rapid-fire shot to Adusei-Poku, covering second from shortstop, who tagged the advancing runner to complete the 3-6 double play. The Hawks prevailed comfortably 20-8. Special recognition went to both Nicholas Vereschagin and Robert Johnstone, who each earned a game ball for their outstanding efforts and results. Bahrain has already requested a rematch for early next year.