World series bound
Published 9:15 pm Friday, July 12, 2013
The 12U Tri-County softball all-star team headed to the Babe Ruth World Series are, from back row left: Coach Stephen Jackson, Kennedy Cato, Olivia Cook, Alyssa Baxley, manager Stewart Baxley and coach Kevin Borders; middle row, left: Kolby Bray, Malarie Foster, Katlynn Hobbs and front row: Haylee Watson, Avarie Jackson, Kendall Barrow and Kassadi Borders
The Tri-County softball program is growing up fast.
Just two years ago most of the 12U girls on a team representing Jay, Fidelis and Chumuckla, Fla. had to play baseball because a softball program hadn’t been created, said their manager Stuart Baxley. Now, that same group of girls will be headed to the Babe Ruth Softball World Series next month after winning the Alabama state tournament in Andalusia last month.
“It’s a great opportunity for the girls,” Baxley said. “I hope it helps the softball program in the area to continue to grow.”
It’s the first time a team from the Tri-County league, which shares a district with teams from Atmore and Poarch, will advance to the world series. This year’s tournament will be played in Alachua, Fla.
The team dominated its competition in the state tournament, save a tight 2-1 victory over Poarch Creek.
Tri-County picked up an easy win Thursday, June 27 against Covington County at 14-5. The team beat Flomaton/East Brewton the next day with a score of 13-5. A rain delay forced Tri-County to play Friday’s late game on Saturday morning, beating Opp 25-14.
The win against Poarch set them up for a championship match against host Andalusia. They won 14-2 in that game to take the title.
Tri-County’s dominance was rewarded as the team was selected to go straight to the series, bypassing a regional tournament in Glen Allen, Va., said Babe Ruth District Commissioner Murray Johnson.
The series starts Aug. 1. An account has been set up at the Santa Rosa County Federal Credit Union to help raise money needed for things like: hotel rooms, travel, tournament fees and food.
