Batesburg-Leesville, SC 07/01/2022 - The Batesburg-Leesville Dixie Youth Minor League All-Star team (10U) swept the District 3, Division 2 All-Star tournament in three games, advancing to the Dixie Youth State tournament. That will be held in Johnsonville, SC in July.
B-L rallied on offense during the district tournament, outscoring its opponents 45-12. The state tournament will be held at Prosser Field, 460 Holder Blvd, Johnsonville, SC 29555 beginning on July 9th. B-L will face the Cayce West Columbia All-Stars on Saturday, July 9th at 9 am. More information about the tournament is available on the SC Dixie Youth website, http://southcarolina.dixie.org/site/. You can also follow the team on the Game Changer app by searching for “2022 BL Minors All Stars.”
Game 1, Friday June 17 – B-L 21 vs. Star-Iva 2
B-L scored three runs in the first inning with consecutive hits by Knox Bouknight, Jack Shealy, Jayson Jennings, and Nichols Ott. B-L hitters never looked back adding seven runs in the 2nd inning, four runs in the 3rd inning, and seven more runs in the 4th inning. B-L totaled fourteen hits on the night in twenty-eight at-bats. B-L’s Jack Shealy, Jayson Jennings, Nichols Ott, Walker Buzhardt, and Ryland Fincher all managed multiple hits. Knox Bouknight, Jack Shealy, Cason Ledford, and Henry Rhoades toed the rubber for B-L, combining for nine strike outs while allowing only one hit.
Game 2, Saturday June 18 – B-L 16 vs. Edgefield County 6
Edgefield County All-Stars got on the board quickly, scoring three runs in the top of the first inning, but B-L answered back with five of their own in the bottom of the inning. B-L’s Jayson Jennings and Walker Buzhardt both doubled scoring multiple runs in the first. B-L pitcher, Knox Bouknight, struck out the side in the second inning and B-L’s offense capitalized with their bats by adding six more runs in the 2nd inning, followed by five more runs in the 3rd. B-L totaled eleven hits on the evening, with multiple hits by Jack Shealy, Jayson Jennings, Nichols Ott, and Cason Ledford. Knox Bouknight, Jack Shealy, and Cason Ledford were on the hill for B-L, allowing six hits and striking out six.
Game 3, Monday, June 20 – B-L 8 vs. Edgefield County 4
B-L took the lead late in the game in an 8-4 victory over Edgefield County in the Championship game. With B-L up 5-4 in the bottom of the 4th inning, two outs, and the bases loaded, Walker Buzhardt came in as a relief pitcher striking out the batter to end the inning. B-L put up three more runs in the top of the 5th inning to go up 8-4. Stellar infield defensive plays from Knox Bouknight, Jayson Jennings and Walker Buzhardt in the 5th inning kept Edgefield County runners from scoring in the bottom of the fifth to end the game. Excellent catching by B-L catchers Bryce Polito and Walker Buzhardt and outstanding defensive play by B-L outfielders Amz Dowling, Ryland Fincher, Henry Rhoades, and Ashton Jumper kept Edgefield County runners from advancing throughout the game. Jack Shealy, Cason Ledford, Knox Bouknight, and Walker Buzhardt all pitched for B-L, striking out eleven batters while allowing four hits. Jack Shealy, Jayson Jennings, and Nichols Ott each managed two hits to lead B-L.
PHOTO CAPTION: Front Row Left to Right: Knox Bouknight, Ashton Jumper, Henry Rhoades, Ryland Fincher, Cason Ledford.
Middle Row Left to Right: Bryce Polito, Jayson Jennings, Jack Shealy, Nichols Ott, Walker Buzhardt, Amz Dowling.
Back Row Left to Right: Brian Shealy (Coach), Scott Buzhardt (Manager), Joey Rhoades (Coach).
