By Staff
The Hartselle Americans 9-10 all-star squad won all four of their games last week to sweep the Dixie Boys Area C tournament at Florette.
The squad composed of Torin Dupper, Jared Johnson, Ryan Joy, Robby Reece, Jake Kimbrell, Corey Holladay, Matt Johnston, Jake Wallace, Zach Letson, Cody Terry, Ryland Blankenship, Michael McMurry and Tres Austin are coached by James Joy, Joe Dupper, and Bennie Austin.
The Hartselle 9-10 year-olds defeated a tough Decatur team behind strong pitching from Ryan Joy.
Joy tossed a four-hitter in six innings of work. He struck out five and walked three.
His teammates backed Joy up with strong defense in the field. Highlighting the defensive effort was a heads-up play in the second inning by center fielder Jake Wallace.
Wallace caught a fly ball in deep center for the first out of the inning and then completed a double play by throwing the Decatur runner out at third.
Joy and Jake Kimbrell led the Hartselle hitting with doubles. Jared Johnson clipped two base hits while Joy and Michael McMurry connected for base hits.
The Americans called on three pitchers to secure a one-sided victory over the Morgan County Central team.
Matt Johnston got the start and completed two innings with three hits, three walks and five strikeouts. Corey Holladay worked two innings, giving up three hits and three walks while striking out one. Torin Dupper got the close with one inning of no-hit baseball. He struck out one and walked one.
At the plate, Hartselle connected for 16 hits. Robby Reece led the parade with a three-bagger. Joy connected for a double and one base hit. Cody Terry also ripped a two-bagger and added a pair of base hits to be Hartselle's most prolific hitter.
Dupper and Jake Wallace ripped base hit pairs, while Kimbrell, Holladay, Johnston, McMurry and Tres Austin made good for base hits.
Hartselle's Americans used another pitching trio to trim the Morgan Central team in their second meeting.
Dupper got the start this time and worked two innings, allowing three hits and walking three.
Holloday relieved Dupper in the third and struck out three batters in one inning of work.
Jake Kimbrell got the nod for the close. Kimbrell faced six batters, allowed three hits and struck out one.
At the plate, the Americans connected for 18 hits. Reece topped the hitting charts with three singles.
Dupper, Johnson, Joy, Zach Letson and Ryland Blankenship all collected base hit pairs. Wallace, Cody Terry, McMurry and Austin finished with singles.
Hartselle got a repeat performance from their ace hurler. Joy repeated his complete game performance from game one, allowing only two hits. He struck out two and walked only one in six innings.
At bat, the Americans ripped 10 hits. Joy and Reece doubled while Dupper, Joy, Kimbrell, Johnston, Wallace, Terry and McMurry all singled.