The Madison County Senior League all-stars have started state tournament play, falling 6-5 to District 5 representative, Western Little League, Saturday afternoon.
The all-stars play again Monday at 8 p.m. against representatives from District 6 in their second game in pool play. State tournament games are being played at Oconee County High School.
Teams are divided into two pools at state. The top two teams out of each pool reach the semifinals.
THE ROAD TO STATE: SENIOR LEAGUERS WIN DISTRICT
Madison County actually faced Hart County three times during the District 7 tournament, beating that team twice to win the district banner.
Madison County’s extended all-star run have come as a surprise to some.
“I think a lot of people were shocked,” manager Bryan Wilkes said last week. “They had already made plans. And now they’ve canceled other plans because they want to do this.”
The senior leaguers out-lasted Hart County 14-13 in a memorable 13-inning marathon July 1, before falling 9-5 two days later.
But behind a superb mound performance from Dustin Roberts, Madison County shut down Hart County 5-2 in the rubber match July 5.
Roberts allowed just five hits over seven innings and roped a two-run homer to help out his own cause. Jayson Pridgen also hit a solo homerun in the tournament-clinching win.
Wilkes praised his defense, especially the outfield, which he said, “caught everything that was hit to them.”
Wilkes also noted pitching efforts of Brandon Doolittle, Eddie Gilbert and Sean Fernandez during the series. He said the trio of arms was steady throughout the tournament, as were the gloves behind them.
“They were the probably the main reason we did as well as we did is because they were throwing strikes and the defense was backing them up,” Wilkes said.
But ultimately, the manager said he felt like his group “played their hearts out” in the deciding game against Hart County.
“I think our boys wanted it more to be honest with you,” Wilkes said. “They just came out and played harder after the loss.”