Southampton/Sussex All-Stars play well in Bronco tourney

Published 9:30 am Friday, July 16, 2010

After winning the district tournament, the 2010 Southampton–Sussex Bronco All Star team has won a couple of games in the Sectional Bronco Tournament.

In the first two sectional games, the Broncos defeated Little Creek National 12-2 and followed up with a 3-2 loss to Branch Gold.

The team on Wednesday night beat Western Branch Blue 13-1 in an elimination game. Results of Thursday’s action were not available as of press time.

The Southampton-Sussex Broncos opened their postseason in Suffolk, winning the annual SYAA Tournament in mid-June.

In the first game, the Broncos lost 7-5 to Western Branch Gold. The following day, the team defeated Holland and Southern Chesapeake, earning a spot in the championship round.

Southampton-Sussex defeated Western Branch Blue 18-4 in the semifinals and Western Branch Gold 6-2 in the championship to win the tournament.

The team allowed only 15 runs over the five-game tournament, while scoring 59 runs. Tateion Holloman pitched five solid innings in the championship game giving up only 1 run. Andrew Burkhouse and Leo Serrano hit back-to-back home runs in the third inning to give Southampton–Sussex a 5-0 lead in the championship game.

The following weekend, Southampton–Sussex Bronco All Star team won the 2010 Summer Showdown Tournament in Deep Creek.

In the first game, they lost 10-7 to Smithfield.

Southampton–Sussex rebounded, defeating Suffolk and Southern Chesapeake. The following day, the team defeated Greenbriar 13-7 and Smithfield 18-6 to get in the Championship round against Western Branch Gold.

Since the tournament was a double elimination tournament, Southampton–Sussex had to beat Western Branch Gold twice in a row. The first game Holloman pitched six innings, earning the win.

Colby Blythe hit a home run in the fourth inning, and Leo Serrano was 4-for-4 with two doubles earning a 13-2 victory, forcing a third day in a row that the team had to play a doubleheader.

In the second game, pitcher Payton Holdsworth allowed 1 run over six innings while earning the victory and helping Southampton–Sussex to win its second straight tournament.

In the championship game, Holdsworth faced 22 batters, striking out 12, allowing 3 hits and 2 walks while going 2-for-3 batting, with a double and a triple.

On July 6, Southampton–Sussex Bronco All Star team began play in the 2010 District 1 Pony Tournament in Windsor. The team exploded in first inning with 10 runs en route to a victory over Nansemond River.

The following night Southampton–Sussex scored 11 runs in the first inning, defeating Smithfield. Andrew Burkhouse and Will Griffin had career games with Burkhouse batting 4-for-4 with 2 home runs, including a grand slam. He also had a triple and single.

Griffin went 5-for-5 with 3 singles, a double and triple.

In the semifinal game of the District tournament, Southampton–Sussex scored 8 runs in the first inning, defeating Windsor. Holdsworth pitched four shutout innings, facing 13 batters, striking out 10 and giving up 2 hits and 1 walk.

The win allowed the team to enter the championship game of the District Tournament. The opponent was once again Windsor. Windsor defeated Smithfield to earn a spot in the championship game.

Southampton-Sussex scored 15 runs in the first 2 innings to take the 2010 Bronco District 1 title.

There were many highlights during the weeklong tournament. Jesse Griggs pitched with five shutout innings over three games. Over the four-game tournament, the team scored 75 runs while giving up only 7.