Champion Mustangs

Published 9:32 am Friday, July 16, 2010

The Southampton/Sussex All-Star Mustangs have gone 8-4 and won the District 1 Mustang championship.

This week, the team is playing in the Sectionals.

Southampton/Sussex played four games within 20 hours to become District 1 champions.

Leading in hitting were Davis Carwile, Zach Goodrich and Nash Warren. The pitching rotation consisted of Caleb Kidd, Nash Warren, Miles Andrews, Carwile and Goodrich.

The District 1 Tournament in Wakefield began with Southampton/Sussex beating Windsor 16–6 and Nansemond River 13–3. Combined, Southampton/Sussex pounded out 24 hits for 29 runs, while allowing 9 runs on 8 hits.

This set up a rematch with the Suffolk Nationals, who Southampton/Sussex had beaten previously 10–9 in the Deep Creek Tournament. The Nationals capitalized on a poor hitting game and beat Southampton/Sussex 16–6.

This loss required Southampton/Sussex to play Surry immediately following the Suffolk loss. Southampton/Sussex won 12-1 in four innings.

Southampton/Sussex had to once again play the Suffolk Nationals. In the first game, Suffolk jumped out to a 3–0 lead after 2½ innings. In the bottom of the third inning, Southampton/Sussex took advantage of some errors and pitching struggles by Suffolk and led 4–3 after three innings.

In the top of the fourth inning, Suffolk climbed ahead 5–4. Southampton/Sussex held Suffolk scoreless in the fifth inning and then posted 3 runs in the bottom of the fifth to take a 7–5 lead.

Southampton/Sussex held Suffolk Nationals in the top of the sixth inning to win 7-5.

In the second game, Southampton/Sussex batted first and jumped out to an 8–0 lead, winning 19-16.

Southampton/Sussex pounded out 14 hits while allowing 14 hits.

“This was truly a team effort,” said Southampton/Sussex Coach Matt Kidd. “Every member of the team contributed in this tournament when they needed to, especially Friday and Saturday.”

“They definitely left everything on the field,” Kidd added.