VALDOSTA —
After opening the final day of the 10-U State All-Star Tournament with a 12-6 win over Buckhead, the Valdosta Sluggers couldn’t stop high-powered Sandy Springs.
The Sluggers fell to Sandy Springs, who finished the tournament undefeated, 21-6 in the championship game. The game was called in the fifth inning due to the run-rule.
“We were close until the fifth inning,” said Valdosta head coach Tim Samples. “But (Sandy Springs) batted around like three times. They were just hitting the ball. They were finding the gaps and holes. It wasn’t like we were doing anything wrong. They were just hitting the ball.”
Despite the loss in the championship game, Valdosta will join Sandy Springs, Buckhead and Acworth in the Dizzy Dean World Series in Southaven, Miss. The tournament begins July 20.
After dropping the opening game of the tournament to Buckhead on Thursday, the Sluggers avoided elimination each game and fought their way into position to make an appearance in the state championship game, something Samples was very pleased with.
“My guys were amazing this week,” Samples said. “They were unbelievable.”
Samples described Sandy Springs as a “well oiled machine,” referring to the team’s solid play in the championship game rout. Regardless of the loss, Valdosta could get another opportunity to see Sandy Springs in the Dizzy Dean World Series.
In the game versus Buckhead to start the day, the Sluggers jumped out to a 4-1 lead, scoring two runs in the first and third innings. But, a huge five-run bottom third inning for Buckhead put the Sluggers in a 6-4 deficit with three innings remaining.
Like they had done throughout the entire tournament, the Sluggers responded with two game-tying runs in the top of the fourth inning — a single by Wade Holton and another by Drew Anderson drove in the runs — which evened the score at 6-6.
With the game still tied heading to the top of the sixth inning — the Sluggers’ final chance to take the lead in regulation innings — Valdosta exploded for six runs to take a 12-6 lead. The six-run rally started with a walk by Cameron Carter, who played the infield, pitcher and catcher for the Sluggers. The walk by Carter loaded the bases and was followed by an error by the Buckhead second baseman, which emptied the bases for the Sluggers.
Drew Harrell provided a strong pitching performance across the final three innings against Buckhead. The 10-year old right-hander didn’t allow a run in his three innings of work.
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Related Photos
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Valdosta Sluggers pitcher Drew Harrell delivers a pitch during Sunday morning’s game versu Buckhead at Freedom Park. Ed Hooper | The Valdosta Daily Times
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Valdosta’s Cam Carter hits a ball deep into centerfield during Sunday’s action at Freedom Park in Valdosta. Ed Hooper | The Valdosta Daily Times
Discussion
Sluggers fall in championship
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