Perry All Stars out but not down

The Perry All Stars led by coach Hancock, got off to a great start this season winning the All Star warmup tournament and winning their district. The All

Stars won their pool at state and went into the state championship

bracket with high hopes. The All Stars won three games and proved they deserved a spot in the final four championships held last weekend in Bleckley County. Wrens, West Macon, And Swainsboro also earned a spot in the state championship.

The All Stars played West Macon in the first game and lost by just two runs late in the game with a final score 6-4. With one loss in the tournament, the All Stars had to defeat Swainsboro in order to stay alive. The outcome was not what the All starts had hoped for and Swainsboro moved on to the next round.

“All in all it was a great season for us because we ended up fourth in the state,” said Hancock. Wrens would end up taking home the trophy this year in the Dixie Youth Little League championship tournament.

Starting the season with a team of ten year olds and two nine year olds. (Luke Davidson and Kameron Kendrick) the All Stars had a great group of players and were able to scratch out a good season in the Dixie Youth Little League.

Kaleb Hancock, Rhodes Hamm, Colby Dixon, and Roland Chance led the team in batting average, hits, and RBI’s. Hancock and Dixon hit

back to back home runs in two games at the district championship. Chance cranked a solon homer at district and Dixon smashed the longest home run at state that cleared the fence and measured 218 feet.

“Our bats ran deep with all players coming through at key moments. On more than one occasion, Kameron Kendrick and Brody Roland laid down some key bunts for sacrifices and singles that scored runners from third, said Hancock.

Other key players for the All Stars included Mo Hayes. Hayes was the team speedster.

“When Hayes reached you could bet he was stealing,” said Hancock. Trenton Thomas was called on as a pinch hitter and came through with a few rockets of his own.

Perry’s infield was strong, limiting mistakes and extra bases all year long. Brody Roland was the golden glove of the All Stars.

“His play at second was unmatchable,” said Hancock. Luke Davidson was the lefty first baseman who scooped, picked, and dug almost every ball that was thrown his way.

Chance and Hamm rotated at third and knocked down almost every ball hit their way. Short stop was solid and handled by Hancock and Hayes who rotated according to the pitching rotation.

The team was blessed with an abundance of this season for the All Stars.

Noah Fries, Hamm, Hancock, Bennett, and Chance all spent time behind the plate. The pitching rotation was also a big plus this year with Hamm, Hancock, Colby Dixon, and Chance as the main pitchers.

“Fries, Hardy, and Bennett were also called to pitch in key situations. Bennett would be called upon to close out a game and he really came through for us in key situations,” Said Hancock

Perry’s outfield was one of the team’s strong points consisting of Dixon, Hayes and Fries. Dixon in center with a cannon for an arm, Hayes with his speed in left, followed by a hard throwing Fries. In right field there was the freaky fast Trae Hardy and Kendrick with the sure hands of Trenton Thomas.

“The team finished the All Star season 12-3. (Warmup, District, and State),” said Hancock.

“In the State Championship bracket Perry lost out; However, the team is proud of what we accomplished and the memories we made are amazing. The 10U All Stars had a great group of parents and players this year and were honored to represent Perry.”

HHJ News