12U State: Thedford leads Center effort at State
Tyler County at the Dixie Majors 12U State Tournament. (Photo by John
Krueger)
CENTER, Tx -- The Center 12U Major All-Stars got off to a rocky start in the Dixie Majors State Tournament, but finished the tourney with a 2-2 mark, bowing out in the quarterfinal round last week.
Tyler County National, which advanced to the title game before being defeated by Hudson, 6-0, handed the Roughriders both of their losses in the tournament, knocking off Center 16-7 in the opening round and 19-6 in the quarterfinals.
Center put its share of offensive power on the field in its middle two games, defeating Commerce, 14-7, and blanking Delta County, 17-0, in three innings.
Here is a rundown of some of the action for Center:
Center 14, Commerce 7 -- After taking a loss in the first game of the tournament, the 'Riders bounced back with a solid offensive performance in a 14-7 win over Commerce in round two of the state tourney.
Deion Thedford provided the most offensive power in the contest, blasting a pair of home runs, while piling up five RBIs. He finished the game 2-for-4 with a pair of runs scored.
Rex Kirkley hit the ball well from his lead-off spot in the lineup, posting a 3-for-5 contest, with three runs batted in and one run scored. Austin Craig doubled in two at-bats, finishing with a walk and two runs scored. He also drew a walk.
Jaterious Evans walked twice and finished 1-for-2 at the dish. He also scored a pair of runs and drive in two more. Hunter Wigington walked and was a perfect 1-for-1, Kasen Lucas scored twice, Devin Randle walked, was hit by a pitch, scored two runs and drove another in. Jesse Burns also drew three walks and scored three times for Center.
Other Roughriders contributing included Octavious Evans, Tyler Burch, Stefon Thompson (walk) and Tavares Riley.
In addition to his strong offensive performance, Thedford picked up the win on the hill. In three innings he allowed three runs on three hits with four strikeouts and only one walk.
Octavious Evans pitched in relief, allowing four runs on one hit with a strikeout and three walks in 1.1 innings. Randle pitched 0.2 innings and did not allow a hit, while Craig finished up on the hill, giving up just one hit in a single inning.
Center 17, Delta County 0 -- The Roughriders eliminated Delta County in the third round of play as Thedford hurled a no-hitter and Center picked up its second consecutive win with a 17-0 blowout in three innings.
Thedford allowed just two baserunners in the three innings, giving up a walk, while an error put the other runner on base. He also struck out four.
Randle was a perfect 2-for-2 at the plate with a walk and three runs scored, while Wigington posted a 2-for-2 effort, with a pair of towering home runs. Wigington scored twice and drove in three runs.
Thedford was 2-for-3 at the dish, banging a pair of doubles, while scoring two runs. Kirkley went 1-for-3 with a run scored, Lucas scored three runs and tagged a two-run homer in the third inning. He also walked.
Craig went 1-for-2 with a double and a run scored and Octavious Evans went 1-for-2. Burns drew a pair of walks and scored twice as he helped his team to a win.
Center opened the game with a seven-run first frame as Wigington cashed in on one of his round-trippers. While Thedford was shutting the Delta County offense down, the 'Rider offense added 10 runs in the third to put the game away.
Tyler County 19, Center 6 -- The Roughriders saw their efforts for a state championship come to an end in the quarterfinals as Tyler County handed them their second loss of the tourney.
Jaterious Evans went 1-for-2 with a double, two RBIs and a run scored, while Lucas doubled in a pair of at-bats, while driving in a run.
Randle went 1-for-2 for Center, Craig singled in two at-bats, while scoring a run and Burch walked and scored. Riley walked, Burns drew a pair of walks, scoring once, Kirkley walked and scored and Thedford scored and stole one base.
Thedford, Wigington, Lucas and Kirkley all pitched for the Roughriders.
Dixie Majors (12U) Tight Base State Tournament
(at Center Noon Lions Park, Center, Tx.)
SATURDAY, JULY 16
Gm 1: Hudson 11, Shelbyville 1
Gm 2: Huntington 9, Delta County 2
Gm 3: Tri Cities 10, Commerce 2
Gm 5: Diboll 5, Joaquin 3
Gm 4: Tyler County National 16, Center 7
Note: Idabel, Okla. had a BYE
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, Center 6
Gm 16: Joaquin 6,Tri Cities 4
Gm 17: Hudson 20, Diboll 2
WEDNESDAY, JULY 20
Gm 18: Diboll 6, Joaquin 5
Gm 19: Tyler County National 6, Hudson 4
Note: All remaining teams (Diboll, Tyler County National & Hudson) have 1 loss each. Tyler County won the toss and receives a bye into championship)
THURSDAY, JULY 21
Semifinal Round
Gm 20: Hudson 6, Diboll 4
Dixie Majors (12U) State Championship Game
Gm 21: Hudson 6, Tyler County National 0