Playing in a stacked field of teams in Livingston, the Warren County 8-year-old All–Stars emerged unbeaten and victorious in a district tournament held recently.
Warren County went 4-0 through the tournament, including winning the championship game 13-12 over Jamestown A (the first of two Jamestown teams in the tournament) on a game-winning, inside-the-park home run from Wes Sherrell.
Jamestown had rallied from a 10-1 deficit to tie Warren County 12-12 going into the final inning of the championship game. All the momentum was against Warren County late, until Sherrell ended the game with one swing.
Sherrell blasted the ball deep into the outfield and never stopped running. Coaches waved their speedy Warren County player all the way around and Sherrell ignited a celebration when he touched home.
Sherrell’s game-winning home run was the exclamation point on a dominant run through the district tournament for Warren County. The local All-Stars started the tournament with a 24-1 victory over Jamestown B last Friday, then followed Saturday with a 25-1 shellacking of Clay County.
Warren County advanced to the championship with a 15-9 win over Jamestown A, the team it would eventually topple in the tournament finals.
Coaches - which included Dustin Hopkins, Mathew Sheppard, Kaine Robinson and Chris Patterson - praised the stout defense of the team’s infield in Friday’s first victory. Nathan Bond added an amazing catch in the outfield while Kenyon Reno paced the offensive attack with several big hits.
Baler Melton took a starring role at the plate against Clay County by slamming an inside-the-park home run. Levi Jones added a 3-for-3 performance while Brodie Cowans flew around the infield making spectacular defensive plays.
The top of the Warren County lineup had a big day Sunday in leading the team to its first of two wins against Jamestown A. Braxton Hopkins, Brendon Sheppard, Kyler Robinson and Easton Denning completed perfect weekends at the plate by reaching base each time in the winner’s bracket finals. Their presences at the top of the order put pressure on the opposing defense, which led to Warren County continuing to pile up runs.
Aiden Miller added a defensive highlight when he gunned down a runner at home plate while Jaxsyn Patterson was solid at the pitcher position to limit Jamestown A to few hits through the middle.
The team’s pursuit of perfection – and a championship – didn’t end until Sherrell’s blast put Warren County ahead for good in the title game.
Coach Dustin Hopkins highlighted the team’s ability to grow through the summer as a key to the victory.
“Most of this team has worked together since February. They’ve played in a lot of coach-pitch tournaments and came up short,” said Hopkins. “Now they’re pulling together as a team and picking each other up. Parents are united, on the same page and all helping on the practice field.”