Rosewood Coach-Pitch team finishes state runner-up

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on July 16, 2006 2:11 AM

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TRYON -- The Rosewood Youth Sports Association 7-8-year-old Coach-Pitch all-star team recorded its best-ever finish with a runner-up showing in the recently-contested Dixie Youth AA state tournament.

Rosewood rolled through bracket play with a perfect 5-0 record.

Derek Neal's two-RBI triple sparked Rosewood to a 15-13 victory over Lumberton in opening-round play. Teammate Boone Moody snagged a line drive with the tying runners aboard to preserve the nail-biting win.

Rosewood used a six-run, second-inning outburst to put away South Park 12-8 the next day.

Ethan Chapin slugged a pair of home runs and spearheaded Rosewood's 18-hit attack in a 13-5 conquest of Bessemer City. Trent Marquard led the defense with eight putouts.

Jordan Dubose, Jacob Dubose and Tanner Bradley each rapped out three hits in Rosewood's 11-9 triumph over South Stanly. Rosewood banged out 19 hits and boosted its four-game hit total to 84.

Chapin, Jacob Dubose, Bradley and Nicholas Neal each produced two hits in a 7-6 thriller over Bessemer City. The victory propelled Rosewood into the championship finals against Stanly County and eliminated Bessemer City from title contention.

Stanly County forced a second game in the double-elimination tournament with a 6-4 win. Rosewood had a tournament-low 12 hits and hit nine pop-up outs.

In the title game, Stanly County rolled to a 15-6 decision. Rosewood had 13 hits, finishing with 109 overall in seven outings.

"(Our) bats were hot through the first five games; cooled off for the championship games," said Rosewood's Barry Bradley, one of four team coaches. "(This is) by far the best-ever (finish) for this group.

"(A) great team effort and fantastic support for Rosewood."

Tournament sponsors, directors and staff members recognized Rosewood with a team sportsmanship award upon conclusion of tournament play.