South Stars Fall Short Against East

On an overcast morning, following opening ceremonies, South Stars faced the East Stars. East is a team comprised of many of the players from Pasco, who won the 2007 Jr. Dixie Boys World Series.

South Stars started at the plate as the visiting team. Brad Middleton from Marianna, Georgia battled but was sent back to the dugout by East’s opening pitcher Tyler Smith. After two strikes, one looking and one swinging, Justin Morgan from Okeechobee, Florida ripped a line drive between first and second for a single. Mark Weir followed suit, after gaining a feel for the pitching and a count of two balls and two strikes. His double through the left side of the field advanced Justin Morgan to third. Unfortunately, that is where they would stay with Smith retiring Jordan Scott, from Bear Creek Ridge, Alabama and Noah Wilcox from Okeechobee with strikeouts.

East came to the plate facing left-hander, Timmy Farrell, from Okeechobee, Florida. After acquiring a count of three balls and one strike, Maleeke Gibson made slight contact with the ball sending it back to Farrell at the mound who made the easy toss to Jordan Scott on first for out number one. East’s two and three hole batters, Jeremy Buckner and Will Price both grounded out to short where Mark Weir made the accurate throws to first for outs two and three. Inning one ended runless for both teams.

In the second inning, Smith came to the mound with one thing on his mind – three up and three down. To the dismay of the South Stars that is exactly the way it would play out with him striking out three in a row: Will Jackson, Thor Harden and Brad Coleman.

East opened the second inning with a single through the right side. However, that was all South’s defense was willing to give up. Blake Graham grounded out to third. Shortstop Mark Weir robbed Tyler Smith of a well hit ball and Jackson Oliver flew out to Bradley Coleman at third. Inning number two also showed no runs for either team.

South Stars came to the plate hoping to finally get some runs on the board, but the East boys were destined to not let that happen. Timmy Farrell hit a grounder that was fielded by East’s second baseman for out number one. Brad Middleton hit a grounder up the middle that enabled the pitcher to work for the second out. Justin Morgan hit another shot through the right side for a single but was left on base when Mark Weir worked Smith to a full count and was tagged out with a dropped third strike.

Timmy Farrell came to the mound with his strongest inning in the third. East’s first batter Browan Brazwell fell victim to Farrell’s curve ball and went down looking. Austin Fuller flew out to Will Jackson in left field on the second pitch. Back at the top of the order, Maleeke Gibson watched two strikes fly by before swinging and missing the third. Three up and three down for South in the third kept the game at zero all.

In the fourth inning, East brought Robert Daniel to the mound, who sent three consecutive batters from South Stars away with K’s. Jordan Scott, Noah Wilcox and Will Jackson all succumbed to Daniel.

South Stars also had a pitching change and moved Mark Weir onto the mound. Jace Johnson fired off a shot to first base that was fielded by Jordan Scott for the unassisted out. Will Price worked Weir, fouling off several but eventually fell under Weir’s fury of pitches.
(More to come … I have to leave for game 2 … be sure to check back for final results.)

Pitch, Hit and Run

Here are a few pictures from the pitch, hit and run contest.

I didn't get any from the hitting and running because

my camera ran out of juice. Sorry.

Homerun Derby

Will Jackson was the first to step to the plate for the homerun derby for South Stars.

Thor Harden was the second South Star to make an appearance.

Third to the plate for the homerun derby for South Stars was Noah Wilcox.

Mark Weir closed out the performances for South Stars at the homerun derby.

#18 Jordan Scott

Jordan Scott

Pitcher / 1st base
Bats right and throws right
from Bear Creek, Alabama

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#17 Thor Harden

Thor Harden

1st base / Outfield
Bats right and throws right
from Okeechobee, Florida

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#12 Ra'keem Frederick

Ra'keem Frederick

Pitcher / 3rd base
Switch hitter and throws right
from Deltona, Florida

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#11 Skylar Davis

Skylar Davis

3rd Base / Pitcher
Bats right and throws right
from Chipley, Florida

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#10 Noah Wilcox

Noah Wilcox

Pitcher /Centerfield
Bats right and throws right
from Okeechobee, Florida

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#9 Mark Weir

Mark Weir

Middle Infield / 3rd Base
Bats right and throws right
from Okeechobee, Florida

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#8 David Coleman

David Coleman

3rd Base / Pitcher
Bats right / Throws right
from Okeechobee, Florida

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#7 Will Jackson

Will Jackson

Shortstop / 3rd Base
Bats right / throws right
from Okeechobee, Florida

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#6 Brad Coleman

Brad Coleman

Third base / Utility Player
Bats right and throws right
from Okeechobee, Florida

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#5 Justin Morgan

Justin Morgan

Catcher / 3rd Base
Bats right and throws right
from Okeechobee, Florida

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#4 Tyler Finney

Tyler Finney

Shortstop / Pitcher
Bats right and throws right
from Okeechobee, Florida

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#3 Timmy Farrell

Timmy Farrell

Pitcher / First Base
Bats left and throws left
from Okeechobee, Florida

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#2 Robert Palo

Robert Palo

Shortstop / Utility Player
Bats right and throws right
from Panama City, Florida

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#1 Brad Middleton

Brad Middleton

Shortstop / Pitcher
Bats right and throws right
from Marianna, Florida

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Meet the Team

The South Stars team is mostly comprised of players and coaches from the State of Florida. Many of the South Stars have participated with a team that won a State Championship and competed in Junior Dixie Boys World Series play. All players have a great deal of All-Star competition as part of the previous awards. The coaching staff is led by a seasoned group of successful Dixie coaches.