Middlesex Junior Leaguers finish 3rd
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| Middlesex turned a double play in the first inning. Pitcher Austin Cooper fielded a ground ball and threw the Caroline hitter out at first base, and first baseman Hunter Davis then threw to catcher Kyle Lawson (above) who tagged out a runner trying to score from third base. The Middlesex Junior League All-Stars lost the game 7-5 at the Middlesex County Sports Complex. (Photo by Tom Hardin) |
by Tom Hardin
The Middlesex Junior League All-Star Baseball team finished an impressive third in the 10-team District 15 Little League Tournament at the Middlesex Sports Complex in Locust Hill.
Coached by Blair Sibley and Justin Jessie, Middlesex lost its opening game of the tournament 16-14 to Caroline on July 2 and then won four straight games before being eliminated 7-5 by Caroline on July 8 in the double elimination tournament.
In both games against Mid-dlesex, Caroline rallied from behind to seize the wins. Middlesex and Caroline both finished with 4-2 records in the tournament.
Undefeated Essex (5-0) won the district championship with a 12-6 win over Caroline on July 9 and will advance to the state tournament. Both Caroline losses in the district tournament were to Essex.
King William 5
Middlesex took a 3-0 lead in the first inning when, with two outs and no runners on base, Austin Cooper singled, and Jeremy Collier and Hunter Davis followed with run-scoring doubles. Kyle Shelton then drove home the third run of the inning with a fly ball to left field.
On July 7, Middlesex rallied in the 7th inning to post a 6-5 win over King William to stay alive in the district tournament.
King William scored 2 runs in the 3rd inning and 1 in the 5th to tie the game 3-3. In the top of the 7th inning, King William took the lead 5-3.
In the bottom of the 7th inning, Middlesex again rallied with two outs and no runners on base. Cooper reached base on an error, and Collier delivered a run-scoring double to cut the lead to 5-4. Davis then tied the game at 5-5 with a run-scoring single. Shelton and Chris Blake followed with singles to load the bases and Matthew Horne drew a walk to force home the winning run.
Wes Moody had 2 singles in the game for Middlesex; Collier had 2 doubles; Davis, a double and 2 singles; Shelton, 2 singles; and Blake and Cooper, a single apiece.
Shelton started on the mound for Middlesex and was relieved by Collier in the 6th inning.
Middlesex 5
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| Members of the Middlesex Junior All-Stars include, front from left, Austin Cooper, Wes Moody, Kyle Lawson, Collin Vaughn, Matthew Horne and Chris Blake; standing, coach Blair Sibley, Jeremy Collier, Kyle Shelton, D’Angelo King, Zach Ward, Hunter Davis and coach Justin Jessie. (Photo by Larry Chowning) |
On July 8, Caroline jumped on top 1-0 with an unearned run in the 1st inning.
Middlesex took a 2-1 lead in the top of the 2nd inning when Collier reached base on an infield single, Davis reached base on an fielder’s choice, Shelton hit a sacrifice fly to drive in Collier, and Blake drove in Davis with a ground out.
Middlesex increased its lead to 3-1 with a run in the 4th inning when Collier reached base on an error, stole second base, advanced to third base on a balk and was driven home by Davis on a ground out.
Caroline scored 2 runs in the 5th inning to tie the game 3-3.
In the 6th inning, Caroline scored 4 unearned runs with 2 outs to take a commanding 7-3 lead.
Middlesex staged a rally in the top of the 7th inning when Moody walked, Kyle Lawson singled, and Moody scored on a wild pitch to cut the Caroline lead to 7-4. Cooper then hit a bloop single to right field and Collier walked to load the bases. Davis then drove in Lawson with a ground out to cut the lead to 7-5, but Middlesex could get no closer.
Lawson and Shelton each had 2 singles in game for Middlesex, and Cooper, Collier, Davis and Blake had a single apiece.
Cooper pitched the entire game for Middlesex and didn’t give up a hit until the 5th inning. He struck out 2.
Caroline got all 7 of their hits in the 5th and 6th innings.
Earlier this week, Middlesex Little League board member Jeff Davis thanked all those who helped stage the tournament at the Middlesex Sports Complex.
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| Austin Cooper was one of the top Middlesex hitters throughout the tournament. Above, Cooper exhibits a nice swing as he fouls off a pitch. (Photo by Tom Hardin) |
“On July 2-9, Middlesex Little League hosted the District 15 Junior Division Little League Baseball Tournament at the Middlesex Sports Complex,” said Davis. “Our Middlesex Junior team had a very strong showing, finishing third among 10 teams behind the quality coaching of Blair Sibley and Justin Jessie. We would also like to extend congratulations to all of the Middlesex teams that worked so hard to compete in All-Star tournaments across the district.
“At our tourney, there are countless individuals I want to thank for their support at the official scorer’s table, concessions, selling t-shirts, field maintenance, behind-the-scenes support and tournament umpiring. It was a collective effort of volunteers that allowed us to conduct an exciting and safe tournament for our youth,” continued Davis.
“I am sure I may overlook someone but I extend ‘thanks’ to the following: Mike Ward, Carol Blue, Cindy Powers, Emma Payne, Megan Payne, Hunter Ward, Lee Ward, John Waite, Jonathan Norris, Tim Blake, Dana Blake, Tyler Pickels, Clark Laster, Randy Rimbey, Chelsea Lewter, Allen Hunt, Wes Bryant, Dan Nye, Lorie Nye, Lamar Gresham, Joe Heyman, Susan Heyman, Linda Collier, Hunter Yeager, Tammie Putney, Gary Williams, David Moore, Ben Thompson, Ken Przybyl, Carol Walsh, Jay Duke, Darlanna Duke, Jackie Taylor, Eric Faudree, Tom Throckmorton, Savannah Williams, Trey Powell, Breanna Tabor, Joey Fitchett, Melissa Sears, Katherine Harris, Michael Harris, Katlin Major, Carol Major, Trey Major, the Deltaville EVB staff, J&W Seafood, Craig Revere, Randy Blue, Don Harris, Ben Hazelwood, Stephen Blue, Tom Rose, Warren Dixon and Charles Dixon. Again, this may not be a complete listing, but I sincerely thank any and all who donated their time and love of the game to make this tournament a success,” said Davis.
The District 15 Little League champions in baseball divisions included: Westmoreland, ages 9-10 ages; King William, ages 10-11; Caroline, Major League (ages 11-12); Essex, Junior League (ages 13-14); Caroline, Senior League (ages 15-16).
The District 15 Little League champions in softball divisions included: Richmond, ages 9-10; Essex, ages 10-11; King William, Major League; King William, Junior League; King George, Senior League.
