9u all-stars win 3rd World Series title
The Columbia 9u all-stars made some impressive history Monday, winning their third World Series title in four years two weeks after claiming their third state title as well.
The squad beat the same Laurel National it bested to win the state championship Monday night, cruising to a 12-6 victory.
“It gets better every time,” coach Doug McMichael said. “It’s more challenging every time and more rewarding every time.”
Columbia made the long trek to Center, Texas for the Invitational World Series and went a perfect 7-0 while outscoring opponents a remarkable 85-20. McMichael said the success begins with the players’ families.
“We have good players and good parents who practice with them at home. That’s where you get most of your training and fine tuning done. It’s not done on the (game) field, it’s done at home. We have some good parents with this group.”
The champions began the tournament with a 15-4 win over Pineville (La.) Saturday morning then outlasted the host team, Center, in a 1-0 pitcher’s duel to cap off the first day of pool-play action.
The 9u bats got rolling once again Sunday as the squad beat Ruston (La.) 13-1 in the morning game then Willis (Texas) 17-2 in the nightcap to clinch the No. 1 seed from Pool B.
With a first-round bye in Monday’s single-elimination bracket play, Columbia matched up with Pineville once again in the quarterfinals and soared to a 13-4 beat down. In the early evening semifinal matchup, Columbia won another rematch in topping Center 14-3 before claiming the championship immediately after.
McMichael said the pitchers proved themselves once again during the World Series despite struggling with control Sunday, limiting the opposition’s damage in crucial situations.
“In the last game Reed Duncan came in and sealed the deal. He pitched 3 1/3 innings, I think, and only gave up one run,” he said. “When we really needed him, Reed came through.”
With an average of more than 12 runs per game, the offense was just as impressive for Columbia.
“Everybody did pretty good at the plate,” McMichael said. “Your leaders would be Carson Stuart and Greyson Carney as far as really consistently hitting the ball the best.”
The three-time World Series champion Columbia 9u all-stars include Will Breland, Chayse Cox, Christian Expose, JP Haddox, Corban Lawrence, Carter McMichael, Trent Buckley, Zac McCain, Carney, Stuart and Duncan and coaches Jamie Cox (head), Jeffrey Haddox, Paul Lawrence and McMichael.
Pictured Above: The three-time World Series champion Columbia 9u all-stars include, not in order, Will Breland, Chayse Cox, Christian Expose, JP Haddox, Corban Lawrence, Carter McMichael, Trent Buckley, Zac McCain, Greyson Carney, Carson Stuart and Reed Duncan and coaches, not in order, Jamie Cox (head), Jeffrey Haddox, Paul Lawrence and Doug McMichael. | Photo Submitted
