FROM STAFF REPORTS

Madison – The Shelby County Wildcat 8U and 6U All-Star teams finished a solid summer of baseball with a quality showing at the Dizzy Dean state tournament held in Madison over the July 8 weekend.  The 8U squad finished in the top eight of the 16 team field and 6U secured a top ten spot when it was all said and done.  For both Shelby County teams, it was a summer season to remember having both teams qualify and represent the community at the state level.

After falling to Tuscaloosa Black, the eventual state champion, 17-14 in the first round Friday night, SC 8U came alive on Saturday beating Albertville and Arab with a combined score of 29-1.   Both wins set up a meeting on Sunday with a solid Centerpoint team where SC 8U fell 17-10.

“We played well versus Albertville and Arab and hit some bigtime shots versus Centerpoint, but they surged late in the game and we couldn’t hold on,” SC 8U coach Ricky Ruston said.

A state title was not meant to be for the SC 8U that weekend, but it doesn’t take away from all that was gained on the road to Madison.

“I’m very proud of our team and coaches,” Ruston said.  “It was a great experience and just to get there is a great accomplishment.  Seven of our only eight losses this summer came from teams that were in the State tournment as well – four of those came from one team.  It’s a great feeling to know you were in the conversation with the top 8U teams in the state and truly had a shot to win it all.”

When the ballpark dust settles for 2016, SC 8U can look back at the resume they were able to build with a Shelby County Invitational Championship, the Summa Sizzla Runner-Up, the District 12 Runner-Up, an Area 5 Third Place finish and the top eight finish at state while compiling an 18-8 record.

“Winning the Shelby County Invitational at the first of June set the tone for our summer,” Ruston said.  “Just to advance out of our District and Area was like a state tournament and I was thrilled we were there at the end of both of those. I hope each player of each team cherish the moments of this summer for a long time.  Every tournament had exciting moments.”

For SC 6U, it was the same type draw, different bracket as they drew the eventual 6U state champion, Northpoint National, right out of the gate, falling 24-8 Friday night.   Saturday saw SC 6U take down the host team, Madison 6U, 21-3, before falling in a nailbiter to Northport American 21-20 that evening.

It was a tale of two years as SC 6U didn’t chalk up a win in the summer of 2015, but 2016 was filled with enough succes that every player, coach and their families could enjoy.  It was a great ride and memorable experience.

“I thought Mike (Venable), Zeb (Ellison), Aaron (Pearson), Donnie (Duke) and all of his other coaches did one of the best coaching jobs around and put them in a position to win and have success,” Ruston said, who also serves as the park president.  ‘They were a lot of fun to watch and had a big following.”

The SC 6U journey to Madison started with a championship finish in the Shelby County Invitational after beating Chelsea 6U as the sun set on that Championship Sunday.  Following two top four finishes in the District 12 and Area 1 tournament, had them headed north.

“When both teams were able to win the tournament our park hosted in June, it was exciting and a lot of fun to see them both celebrating together,” Ruston said.  “To have them both represent the league and community together at state was special.”