For the third consecutive year, the group that makes up Columbia Dean Griner 8u captured a state title while having to fight its way out of the losers’ bracket.
Head coach Ryan Stringer said it was impressive to see the young all-stars pull it off once again.
“It was the third time in a row we had to battle back on championship Sunday. We came in in the losers’ bracket, and we had to beat the team that had beaten us the day before. We had a lot of adversity that we overcame, and it was very satisfying and fulfilling to be able to bounce back after a tough loss,” he said. “The team showed a lot of resiliency. Everybody is really excited about it.”
The all-stars began the Division I tournament Friday night with a 21-0 drumming of Pontotoc before falling to Wayne County 8-6 Saturday morning. Facing elimination, Columbia 8u beat Iuka 11-1 and Cleveland 6-4 to reach the semifinals Sunday.
In a rematch of Saturday’s loss, Columbia 8u got its revenge with a 12-0 over Wayne County to advance to the championship round against Hattiesburg. Hattiesburg was still undefeated heading into the title showdown so Columbia had to beat it twice to raise the championship trophy.
The Columbia 8u all-stars more than got the job done with two blowout victories, 11-1 and 19-7.
“All three games on Sunday were run-rules. The bats got fired up on Sunday, and we didn’t have any off games or any off innings. We had one difficult defensive inning the whole day,” Stringer said. “As far as a three-game stretch in the three years this team has been together, that was the most impressive three-game stretch I’ve ever seen us put together.”
Stringer said he really appreciates and thanks all of the parents and fans who supported the team this summer.
Columbia 8u will compete in the Invitational World Series in Ruston, La., July 27 through July 30.
Pictured Above: Columbia 8u includes, front row, from left, Kamron Stringer, Carter Miller, Connor Bozeman, Brayden Gipson, Jaydon Johnson and Jagger Earls; second row, Parker Russell, Noah Jones, Max McDaniel, Tyler Manning, Cruz Stogner and Bentley Blansett; back row, Andrew Gipson, Randall Stringer, head coach Ryan Stringer and Kevin Bozeman.
