Williamsburg Ousted

Williamsburg’s Little League saw their impressive run in the District Tournament come to an end Saturday with a 13-1 loss to North London.
Coach Jerry Croley’s team was the talk of the District Four Little League Tournament at Harlan last week. Williamsburg came into the tournament from the loser’s bracket and knocked off Rockcastle County 8-2, then beat Jackson County 2-0 with their star, Josh Duncan, on the mound.
However, the Cinderella story ended with a loss to North London Sunday afternoon.
“It was a nice run,” said assistant coach Jimmy Dobson. “The boys really played hard in this tournament and wanted to win it.”
In the opening game Thursday night, Williamsburg took on a tough Rockcastle County team but the Williamsburg bats were ready for the Mt. Vernon boys.
Williamsburg pitcher, Ce-Jay Jones struck out the first two batters he faced to set the tone of the game. Rockcastle County went down in order.
In the bottom of the inning, Jones walked with one out but was forced out on a Jared Barton fielder’s choice. Hunter Williams drew a walk but Boston Bryant grounded out to end the inning.
Rockcastle County rallied in the second inning but the Williamsburg defense refused to break. A line drive by Tyler Holman to Tyler Irvin at first started the inning with an out. But a bunt by Will Reynolds gave Rockcastle its first runner of the game. Jones hit Luke Allen with a pitch and the second runner was on.
Shawn King loaded the bases when he popped in a single to left field with one out. The rally was stopped when Jones struck out BB Cameron and Jayden Brock grounded to second. Jalen Dobson stepped on second for the force play to end the threat.
Williamsburg followed with one of their best innings in the post-season when they sent 11 batters to the plate and came away with seven runs on five base hits and one Rockcastle error.
Irvin started the inning with a double to right centerfield. He went to third on a sacrifice by Dobson. Mahan’s hit to second allowed Irvin to score. Walks to Powers and Purdie loaded the bases. Jones answered with a two-run double. Barton followed with a two-run triple and the score stood 5-0. Barton scored on a triple by Williams and he scored on a Irvin base hit.
Rockcastle got on the scoreboard when Adams hit a two-run homer but Williamsburg got the run back in the bottom of the fifth when Bryant reached base on a single. He went to second on Irvin’s hit then scored on a couple of passed balls.
Irvin led the Williamsburg offense with three base hits and three RBI’s.
Williamsburg 2, Jackson 0
One of the top teams in the tournament, Jackson County faced Williamsburg after losing to Wayne County. With Duncan throwing pitches of 75 mph, the work was cut out for the Williamsburg hitters.
However, Williamsburg had their own ace on the mound in Jared Barton, who was throwing in the 70s as well.
In the bottom of the first, Jones hit a single off Duncan then went to second on a wild pitch. Barton followed with a run-scoring double for a 1-0 lead. Barton stole second then scored on a passed ball and the lead was two runs. Duncan struck out Williams and Bryant to get out of the inning.
The star of the game had to be Barton as he threw is third consecutive no-hitter. He hit two batters and completely shut down the Jackson County offense.
Irvin continued to play well, getting two hits off Duncan. One in the bottom of the second and another in the bottom of the fourth.
Barton ended the game with 14 strikeouts while Duncan recorded 13 k’s.
North London 13, Williamsburg 1
After facing Duncan, the speed changed drastically when Ethan Eversole took the mound for North London. However, the London pitcher was very effective, limiting Williamsburg to just one run.
Williamsburg hurt itself, leaving 11 runners stranded in the game. Williamsburg left at least one runner stranded in every inning.
North London started out strong with two runs in the top of the first inning and it was catch-up for the Williamsburg boys the rest of the game.
Jones and Williams both had singles in the bottom of the first but were left stranded.
In the second, North London scored three times and took a 5-0 lead in the game. Again, in the bottom of the frame, Mahan and Ethan Powers had singles with two outs but Purdie struck out to end the rally.
A solo home run by Nick Miller in the third pushed North London ahead 6-0 but Williamsburg again left runners stranded in the bottom half of the inning.
Trailing 8-0, Williamsburg got on the scoreboard when Jones led off the bottom of the fifth with a home run over the centerfield fence. Barton followed with a single but he was forced out at second on a Williams fielder’s choice. He was left stranded when Bryant struck out and Irvin grounded out.
North London platted five runs in the top of the sixth to put the game away.
Eversole had a nice day on the mound, striking out 11 Williamsburg hitters.

No. London 231 205- 13 12 1
Williamsburg 000 010- 1 8 3
Eversole and Bowling. Bryant and Barton. W-Eversole, L-Bryant. 2B-Shears (NL). HR-Miller (NL), Jones (W). LOB: NL 6, Williamsburg 11.

Jackson Co. 000 000- 0 0 0
Williamsburg 200 000 -2 3 1
Duncan and Wilson. Barton and Bryant. W-Baton, L-Duncan. 2B-Barton (W).

Rockcastle 000 200- 2 4 1
Williamsburg 070 010- 8 8 1
Smith and Saylor. Jones and Barton. W-Jones, L-Smith. 2B-Irvin (W), Jones (W). 3B-Barton (W), Williams (W). HR-Adams (RC).