Perry Junior League opens district play

With the middle of June brings All-Star baseball … yes, the Mid-Summer Classic on television, but that’s just one night. For weeks on into July, All-Star teams attempt to go from one level to another with a big prize waiting at the end.

Perry Junior League began such a journey this weekend at Ochlahatchee Park, where the Dixie Youth Georgia District 3 baseball tournament for 10 & under is taking place involving county programs from as far away as Greene County.

One of those clubs standing out as dominant through the first three days is the maroon clad boys of Perry Junior League. On Saturday, Perry defeated Warner Robins National League 18-2. Other winners included Putnam County, Jones County Gold, Baldwin County and Taylor County.

On Sunday, Jones Gold advanced over Putnam and Taylor upended Baldwin. That meant Taylor earned the chance to take on Perry, as the host team toppled Schley County 12-1.

Come Monday, it was all Perry as Taylor could not stop the offensive onslaught. It ended after three innings 25-3.

Perry Junior League modestly got things started in the first inning with four runs. The bases were loaded with nobody out, and Roland Chance doubled in the first two. Noah Fries plated one more giving Taylor the first out, and Chance himself scored on a wild pitch.

But the second inning was all about power hitting, two baseballs leaving the park when 10 more runs scored.

Trenton Thomas singled to lead off and scored on Tyler Bennett’s hit. Kameron Kendrick put down the bunt base hit. These first three represented the non-defensive starters who got to bat during the first turn through the order, so it was back to No. 1 and Mo Hayes.

Hayes drove in two runs on a hit, and on the next two swings the baseballs sailed over the Tolleson Field fence. That was courtesy of Kaleb Hancock and Colby Dixon. Hancock would later earn a third RBI from a single.

Both Rhodes Ham and Luke Davidson singled in second-inning runs.

Hancock pitched, giving up one run on a double in the Taylor first inning. He also walked two, but big help came on a ball smashed into center field. Hayes was positioned perfectly to catch the final out. Taylor loaded the bases in the second inning without a hit but did not score as Hancock fanned two and his middle infield featuring Brady Roland executed the force out.

On Tuesday, Perry Junior League matched up with Jones Gold as remaining unbeatens in the tournament field. The District tournament is slated to wrap up on Thursday.

This coming weekend, the Dixie Youth 12 & under District 3 baseball tournament begins. It is hosted by Warner Robins National at Simpson Park.

HHJ News