Brook Nationals claim AAA title
Published 5:00 am Wednesday, July 14, 2004
SUMMIT — It is only fitting that a championship should comedown to one game to determine a winner. With the Dixie YouthBaseball District 6 AAA series tied at 1-1, the Summit All-Starsand Brookhaven Nationals met Monday evening at the Windsor GaySports Complex for the championship.
The Nationals are peaking at the right time, as they claimed thechampionship trophy with a hard-fought, sweat-soaked 6-2 win overSummit. Brookhaven wins the series 2-1.
The Nationals advance to the Dixie Youth Baseball State AAATournament, which begins Friday in Laurel where they will meet thechampion from District 1. Game time will be determined later thisweek.
Nationals 6, Summit 2
“We are hitting the ball at the right time,” said Nationals headcoach Larry Killingsworth.
Brookhaven, the designated home team, pounded out a series-high6 hits in the victory.
It would be Summit who drew first blood in their half of thefirst to take a 1-0 lead. Garrett Wallace singled. Three batterslater, Joseph Clark doubled to score Wallace.
The Nationals garnered a 1-1 deadlock in the bottom of thefirst. Zach Ashley doubled. Three batters later, Corey Funk’sdouble scored Ashley.
Summit, coached by Kenneth Wallace, reclaimed the advantage at2-1. Yohance Bailey walked and then stole second and third. CoreyKillingsworth’s single scored Bailey.
The Nationals’ bats came to life in the bottom of the second,scoring 4 runs to take the lead for good at 5-2. Will Hickmandoubled. Logan Killingsworth reached on an error. Two batterslater, Jacob Philipp walked to load the bases.
Brock Smith reached on a fielder’s choice, and moved to secondon a throwing error by Summit that allowed Hickman andKillingsworth to cross home plate.
With 1 out in the bottom of the third, Ashley singled. He laterscored on an RBI single by Funk.
Summit had an opportunity to tie the game in the top of thesixth. With 2 outs and the bases loaded, Brandon Terrell struck outto ignite a jubilant celebration by National players, coaches andsupporters.
“I am proud of you guys,” said Killingsworth, addressing hisballclub following the game. “You fought hard and you never gaveup.”
Will Lucas picked up the win for the Nationals, pitching 4innings, allowing 2 runs, 4 hits, a walk and 4 strikeouts.
Leighton Jordan tossed the final 2 innings in relief and got thesave.
Dearius Tolliver suffered the loss for Summit, being chargedwith 6 runs, 6 hits, 2 walks and 2 strikeouts. John Michael Schmidtpitched the final inning.
“This was a team effort,” added Killingsworth.