Less than a week removed from winning the South sub-district championship, McComb’s 8-year-old National League All-Stars earned the district crown over North sub-district champions Franklin County with a 15-14 victory Saturday night.
The win was the third and final game of the best-of-three championship series, which began Friday night in Bude. Franklin County won that game 20-12, but lost Game 2 at Edgewood Park 21-11 Saturday afternoon before falling to McComb by one run in the rubber match.
“We won as a team. Everyone played hard and never quit,” McComb coach Keith Reeves said. “I am blessed to have such a wonderful group of kids, parents and coaches. I am looking forward to taking these boys to the state tournament.”
The McComb 9- and 11-year-old Dixie Youth All-Stars began district tournament action this weekend, but rainy weather limited some games and postponed others.
The 9-year-olds were barely able to sneak in the first game of their district tournament in Tylertown before rainfall washed out the rest of Friday and Saturday’s action.
The McComb American League All-Stars, coached by Kirby Fleming, beat Natchez 12-2 Friday in a rain-shortened game.
Ethan Greer started on the mound for McComb and pitched two innings. LaMarcus Miller tossed another 11⁄3 innings to close out the game.
“We hit the ball and ran the bases exceptionally well. I am proud of the team,” Fleming said.
McComb’s National League All-Stars, coached by Jake Gazzo, were scheduled to take on Walthall County All-Stars in the other district tournament showdown Saturday afternoon, but rain pushed the game to Monday. The American League All-Stars will take on the winner of that game later that same evening.
Only three teams make up the field at the 11-year-old district tournament — two All-Star squads from McComb and a third team from Brookhaven, which is hosting this weekend’s action.
McComb’s American League All-Stars, coached by Brad Wilson, defeated Brookhaven 8-0 in the opening game of the weekend Friday night. Conner Wilson and Bradley Whitaker combined to pitch a shutout, allowing just one hit for the game. As a team, the American League All-Stars did not commit an error.
“Our defense is what I’m most proud of,” he said of his team after the game.
The National League All-Stars, coached by Ray Henderson, were scheduled to take on Brookhaven in the second game of the tournament Saturday afternoon, but more rain pushed the game to Monday.
The two McComb teams will complete the round-robin by playing each other Tuesday.
