Midland Valley remains alive in 10-year-old youth baseball
6/29/2008 11:42 PM


By KENTON MAKIN

Staff writer

GRANITEVILLE -- Midland Valley's 10-and-under youth baseball team faced elimination in Sunday's game against Orangeburg, and Midland Valley coach Darryl Dupert offered a simple message to the team:

"It's do or die!"

The group responded in earnest with a late rally that clinched a 6-3 victory in the 10-year-old Dixie Youth Baseball tournament, which is being held at Gregg Park's baseball field in Graniteville.

Orangeburg was eliminated from the tournament, which features a double-elimination format, with the loss. Midland Valley survived to play in today's 6 p.m. contest against Silver Bluff.

The tournament, which began Saturday, opened with Bamberg, Barnwell and Gregg Park picking up wins over Orangeburg, Midland Valley and Silver Bluff, respectively.

Caleb Haupfear picked up the win for Midland Valley. Logan Fleming went 1-for-2 with a stolen base and two runs.

"Caleb pitched the game of his life," Dupert said after the game. "It came down to defense and pitching."

Midland Valley jumped out to a quick 1-0 advantage after Keat Richardson led off with a walk, then promptly stole second and third.

Austin O'Shields brought Richardson home with a sacrifice fly RBI, then the team struck again in the top of the second.

Please see BASEBALL, page 3B

Fleming led the top of the second off with a single, then stole second. A groundout by Dallas Young advanced Fleming, who would score on a wild pitch.

Orangeburg trimmed its deficit to 2-1 in the bottom of the second, but Midland Valley answered in the top of the fifth.

Fleming led off with a walk, Young was safe on a fielder's choice, Patrick Ott loaded the bases with a single, Haupfear earned an RBI walk and Richardson notched a sacrifice RBI to give Midland Valley a 4-1 advantage.

In the bottom half of the fifth, Haupfear struck out the side, which steadied the young pitcher.

Fleming knocked in teammate Ethan Howell then played a decoy during a double steal attempt. Fleming was out, but teammate Mitchell Walters scored Midland Valley's final run to give the group a 6-1 lead.

Orangeburg rallied late to cut Midland Valley's lead down to 6-3, but it wasn't enough to stave off elimination.

The winner of the 10-year-old tournament at Gregg Park will advance to the 10-year-old State tournament in Hartsville.

Gregg Park 10

Edisto 0, four innings

Gregg Park defeated Edisto 10-0 in four innings at the 10-and-under Dixie Youth Baseball tournament in Graniteville.

Gregg Park's Aaron O'Neil went 2-for-2 with two doubles and two RBI, and teammate Bradley Scott went 2-for-2, as well.

Nick Grover was the winning pitcher for Gregg Park, which will play again today at 8 p.m. against the winner of Sunday's late game between Bamberg and Barnwell.

Gregg Park also captured the 9-year-old Dixie Youth tournament at Citizens Park last Wednesday.

"It's a family (atmosphere) ... we encourage the kids to work hard (not just in baseball), but in life," Gregg Park 10-and-under coach Ray Scott said. "We want them to enjoy (baseball) while they're young and to have fun."

Gregg Park scored three runs in the top of the first, four in the top of the second and three runs in the top of the decisive fourth inning to advance.

Sunday's games

Gregg Park 10, Edisto 0; four innings

Midland Valley 6, Orangeburg 3

Bamberg vs. Barnwell, late

Today's games

Edisto vs. Bamberg-Barnwell loser, 4 p.m.

Silver Bluff vs. Midland Valley, 6 p.m.

Gregg Park vs. Bamberg-Barnwell winner, 8 p.m.

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