The fourth time was the charm for the Columbia 11u all-stars Sunday as they claimed their first World Series championship in Brookhaven in four tries.
The five-time state champs had come close several times before but finally broke through the glass ceiling.
“It was very rewarding and hard earned,” Ryan Stringer said. “We had been there three times before and had come up short. Before this we had finished second, third and fourth in the World Series we had been to. To finally win one was very rewarding for the guys. It was the goal we had been working toward since they were 6 years old, and it finally came true.”
Columbia 11u began pool play Friday with big wins over Bossier City, 6-1, and Laurel Red, 11-0. The all-stars then lost their only Saturday game 2-1 to East Montgomery County (Texas) in extra innings to finish pool play going into Sunday.
“That helped us get back focused and realize we weren’t invincible because we had not lost this year,” Stringer said.
The wakeup call served Columbia 11u well as it steamrolled through the bracket Sunday, beating Lincoln County 11-0, Laurel Blue 6-1 and Morgan City (La.) 11-1 to raise the championship trophy.
Stringer added the championship is a testament to all of the hard work by the players and their families that goes into it behind the scenes.
“I’m thankful for the parental support and the parents entrusting their child to us and the (players) to become better people first of all through sport,” he said. “I’m very proud of the guys with the amount work and effort they put in year in and year out. To finally punch the championship ticket proves to them that hard work does pay off when you work the right way.”
Pictured Above: Columbia 11u includes, not in order, Kole Louge, Daniel Lowery, Ryder Earls, Kolby Stringer, Hagen Forbes, Owen Simmons, Braylen Graham, Braxton Albritton, Logan Buckley and Carter Fortenberry and coaches Stacy Buckley, Mitchell Graham and Hunter Forbes (head).
