Atmore 2nd at state Cal Ripken tourney
Published 10:49 am Thursday, July 17, 2014
Atmore’s 10-under Cal Ripken All-Stars had an impressive showing at the state tournament in Rainbow City, finishing in second place out of a 15-team field.
Atmore advanced to the championship game Tuesday, before losing 11-1 to Westside of Mobile in the final.
Monday afternoon, Atmore advanced to the semifinals by defeating previously undefeated Matthews Park of Mobile, 6-2. Matthews Park had been 4-0 in its pool play games, outscoring its opponents 55-7 in those games — including a 9-2 win over Atmore.
Atmore then qualified for the finals by topping Florence, 8-5, Monday night.
Atmore went 2-2 in its pool play games, which were played Saturday and Sunday.
Atmore lost its opening game to Matthews Park 9-2, before bouncing back with two straight wins — 12-2 over Monrovia, and 8-2 over Sylacauga. Atmore fell to Florence, 18-6, in its final pool play game.
However, Atmore’s all-stars avenged both pool-play losses, by knocking out Matthews Park and Florence in bracket play on the way to the championship.
Atmore qualified for the state tournament by winning its district tournament, which was held June 27-29 at Tom Byrne Park.
Team members were Lane Baggett, Justin Brunson, Reece Buck, Caleb Davis, Joseph Ferguson, Chaston Helton, Brady Howell, J.W. Jackson, Joshua Mason, Canyon Odom, Parker Robinson and J.J. Stevens. The head coach was Craig Hadley and the assistant coaches were Eddie Ferguson and Eddie Baggett.