The Columbia 6u all-stars experienced a small dose of heartbreak Sunday with their season ending one run short of playing for a state championship in Cleveland.
The young sluggers got off to a hot start with a dominating 18-3 win over Cleveland American Friday night and followed that up with an equally impressive 13-2 victory over Laurel National Saturday morning.
“We played well especially in the early games, but rain delays kind of threw us off a little bit. The last two teams left undefeated in the tournament were us and Sumrall, and we got beat 15-7 (Saturday night),” head coach Jacob Harrison said. “Then we had to turn around after that and play Laurel after a pretty intense game with Sumrall.”
Facing elimination Sunday, Columbia had its season end at the hands of Laurel National 13-12 in the final at-bat.
“Laurel had some time off, and we didn’t play very well. We got beat by an inferior team, really. That’s not taking any credit away from Laurel because they played great, but we didn’t play our best game,” Harrison said. “In the end, they walked it off against us. It still burns.”
While they were shooting for higher on the field, a third-place finish in the state had little to do with the all-stars accomplishments this summer.
“In the beginning our motto was to grow as a team, teach the boys about the game of baseball and also have some spiritual fortitude. For us it’s all about growth in the game, growth in their spirit and growth as a young person. I am certain we accomplished that goal,” Harrison said. “Of course, we all wanted to win state and go to the World Series, but we accomplished what it’s all about: the kids’ growth.”
Harrison added the support for this year’s Columbia 6u couldn’t have been any better.
“Huge testament to the dedication that the parents put into this, and I couldn’t give enough credit to my coaching staff,” he said. “I had one coach, (Kevin) “Shorty” Herrin, who was our pitcher, and his grandson was on the team. He didn’t have to be out there, and he dedicated his summer to do the same thing.”
Although his team’s season is over, Harrison said he hopes the community rallies behind the three teams heading to the Invitational World Series in Center, Texas.
“If I can encourage the public to do anything, it would be to support the remaining teams that are in (the World Series) asking for donations because it is very costly for a family to travel out of town for four days to with the rest of their family support these little guys,” he said.
Columbia 6u included Collin Baughman, Slade Dawsey, Brayden Dyess, Gunner Forbes, Cash Harrison, Reece Odom, Kaden Pendarvis, Trinity Reid, Drew Rowley, Kade Sistrunk, Trace Wiesen and Chandler Williamson and coaches Nick Wiesen and Cory Odom.
Pictured Above: Columbia 6u includes, not in order, Collin Baughman, Slade Dawsey, Brayden Dyess, Gunner Forbes, Cash Harrison, Reece Odom, Kaden Pendarvis, Trinity Reid, Drew Rowley, Kade Sistrunk, Trace Wiesen and Chandler Williamson and coaches, not in order, Jacob Harrison (head), Kevin Herrin, Nick Wiesen and Cory Odom. | Photo Submitted
