12U State: Rams battle back with 2 straight wins
baserunner. (Photo by John Krueger)
CENTER, Tx -- The Joaquin 12U All-Stars took a loss in the opening round of the Dixie Majors (12U) State Tournament, but 'dug in their heals' and have been working their way back toward the championship in the loser's bracket this week.
The Rams' loss on Saturday gave them a day off on Sunday. Then the squad routed Huntington, 14-5, on Monday and then opened up an early lead then held off Tri Cities, 6-4, on Tuesday. That puts Joaquin the 'final four' heading into Wednesday's action.
In other tournament results on Monday, Tri Cities knocked off Idabel, Oklahoma, 10-2, Center blanked Delta County, 17-0, Diboll ripped Tyler County National, 10-0, and Hudson received a bye.
On Tuesday, Tyler County National eliminated Center, 19-6, and Hudson bombed Diboll, 20-2.
Hudson is now the only unbeaten team in the tourney. The Hornets will face Tyler County National tonight at 8 p.m. That game will follow an elimination game between Joaquin and Diboll at 6 p.m.
The championship round begins Thursday at 5:30 p.m.
In their win over Huntington on Monday, Joaquin pounded out 11 hits. Brock Lawson went 2-for-3 with a walk and two runs scored, while Trey Wilkerson picked up a pair of hits in three at-bats, drew one walk and scored one run. Nate Belrose was another Ram with multiple hits, going 2-for-4 with a double and three runs scored.
Joaquin's Kase Yates went 1-for-3 with a walk and a pair of runs, Peyton Martinez went 1-for-3 with a walk and a run scored, Justin Hooper hit a home run and scored once, Hunter Harper went 1-for-3 with a run and Bryan Clark walked scored a run and picked up a single in three at-bats.
Other player contributing for Joaquin included Brock Hughes (run), Klay Adkison (walk, run), Rudy Montiel and Zach Bates.
Dixie Majors (12U) Tight Base State Tournament
(at Center Noon Lions Park, Center, Tx.)
SUNDAY, JULY 17
Gm 6: Diboll 4, Idabel, Okla. 2
Gm 7: Delta County 7, Shelbyville 4
Gm 8: Center 14, Commerce 7
Gm 9: Hudson 9, Huntington 3
Gm 10: Tyler County National 4, Tri Cities 2
Note: Joaquin received a BYE
MONDAY, JULY 18
Gm 11: Joaquin 14, Huntington 5
Gm 12: Tri Cities 10, Idabel, Okla. 2
Gm 13: Center 17, Delta County 0 (3 inn.)
Gm 14: Diboll 10, Tyler County National 0
Note: Hudson received BYE
TUESDAY, JULY 19
Gm 15: Tyler County National 19, vs. Center 6
Gm 16: Joaquin 6,Tri Cities 4
Gm 17: Hudson 20, Diboll 2
WEDNESDAY, JULY 20
Gm 18: Diboll vs. Joaquin, 6 p.m.
Gm 19: Hudson vs. Tyler County National, 8 p.m.
THURSDAY, JULY 21
Championship Round
Gm 20: Winner Gm 19 vs. Winner Gm 18, 5:30 p.m.
Gm 21: (if necessary)