9u claims 3rd title in 4 years
For the third time in four years, the Columbia 9u squad raised a state championship banner and flashed title rings Sunday night in Laurel.
“It meant a lot. We won the state championship at 6 and at 7 but were the runner up at 8, so we had to come back to prove to ourselves we could do it again,” Doug McMichael said. “And with this being the first year of kid pitch, it was a little bit harder.”
Columbia 9u began the tournament with an 8-7 over Walthall, holding off a late rally to remain in the winner’s bracket into Saturday’s action. The all-stars met Laurel American in the second round and rode Carter McMichael’s arm to a 14-0 shutout Saturday morning. Later that night, Columbia faced its stiffest challenge yet but rose to the occasion to top Laurel National 7-2 to reach the semifinals as the lone undefeated team left in the field.
Walthall battled its way back into the winner’s bracket but were met by the arms of Trent Buckley and Zac McCain who held Walthall to just one hit in a 3-0 win to advance to the championship.
However, with a chance to seal the deal late Sunday afternoon, Columbia got beat by Laurel National 6-3 to set up a winner-take-all title showdown. Then Columbia’s deep pitching staff stepped up again and claimed the crown with a 9-0 win.
“Pitching from Zac McCain and Reed Duncan pretty much shut (Laurel National). They never could get anything going,” McMichael said. “We played good defense, but our pitching really carried us with three shutouts in six games.”
With a state title secured, the Columbia 9u squad will head to Center, Texas, July 20 to 23 to play in the Invitational World Series. Center is about 60 miles southwest of Shreveport, La.
“We’ve been twice before, and the competition only gets harder,” McMichael said. “It’s really a privilege to get to go, and we’re just got to try our best. It’s not going to be a cakewalk.”
The Columbia 9u all-stars include Will Breland, Greyson Carney, Chayse Cox, Christian Expose, JP Haddox, Corban Lawrence, Carson Stuart, Carter McMichael, Buckley, Duncan and McCain and coaches Jamie Cox (head), Jeffrey Haddox and Paul Lawrence.
Pictured Above: Zac McCain rips a ground-ball single into right field to score a run against Walthall Friday night to begin 9u’s state title run. | Photo by Joshua Campbell
