WINONA — The Columbus Americans made it through the Dizzy Dean 11-12-year old South State Tournament undefeated by beating West Point 18-3 in the championship game Tuesday.
The Americans exploded for 11 runs in the bottom of the third inning to win the game in three innings by the mercy rule.
“It was real exciting,” Columbus Americans coach Billy White said. “I”ve been a coach for 22 years and, like I told the kids, this was the first time in 20 years a 12-year old team from Columbus won South State. This is a great group of kids.”
The Americans advance to play in the Dizzy Dean 12-year old World Series, which starts July 23 in Southaven.
Before turning their focus to the World Series, the Americans enjoyed the moment of winning the South State title on Tuesday.
“Me and one of the parents told the kids if we won we”d get in the middle of the field and dance for them,” White said. “When we won we got out in the middle of the field and danced.”
That wasn”t the only victory celebration.
“They doused me with a cooler of water,” White said. “It was pretty cold, but it was a good cold feeling.”
Deonteau Reives pitched all three innings to earn the victory. He struck out four batters and allowed five hits.
When the Americans delivered the knockout punch in the third inning, Emorian Ross and Laquiston Sharp each had two-run homers and RBI singles, Bradley Sykes had a two-run double and RBI double, Demarcus White had an RBI double and double, Ethan Ashton had an RBI double and single, and Thomas Cooper had an RBI single.
Prior to the third inning, White hit a two-run homer in the first, Sharp doubled in the first and hit a two-run double in the second, Sykes hit an RBI single in the first and two-run double in the second, Tyran Smith hit an RBI single in the first, Reives singled in the second, and Ashton singled in the second.
Members of White”s coaching staff are Steve Ashton, Blake Boyd, Ronnie Richardson and Jamie Sharp.
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