On Friday, July 7, 2023, the Wayne County Dixie Belles All-Stars traveled to Dickson, Tennessee, to play their first State Tournament game against Chester County.
Chester County was the team that put out Wayne County last year in the State Tournament. This was a game the team wanted! Wayne County started out strong and never looked back, winning 15-8 in seven innings.
Wayne County’s next opponent was McEwen – the battle of extra innings. On Saturday, July 8, Wayne County faced off against a powerful pitching staff that McEwen brought. The game stayed close, going into extra innings. After eight innings, McEwen came out victorious with a 9-8 win.
On Monday, July 10, Wayne County played their neighbors, Hardin County. After a hard loss against McEwen, the team was extremely focused and determined to move forward. With the whole lineup crushing the ball into outfield, and pitcher, Gracie Staggs, dominating the mound, Wayne County defeated Hardin County in seven innings, 8-1.
This game placed Wayne County in the Championship bracket. There were three teams left. Wayne County awaited their fate as McEwen and Fairview played. McEwen beat Fairview by a run, placing the ultimate showdown in the championship game, an undefeated McEwen team against a Wayne County team looking for redemption. Wayne County had one loss, and had to beat McEwen twice in order to be crowned State Champions.
On Tuesday, July 11, as the sun was setting over Dickson, Wayne County players and McEwen players were taking the field. Every player had a warrior’s mindset. The tension, the pressure, the will to win was present. The families from Wayne County started to cheer as the game began. Wayne County came out slow, scoring two runs in the first inning. McEwen, the home team, came out strong, scoring five runs. Bailey Staggs came in as pitcher. The defense backing Staggs never let her down. Wayne County’s defense stopped McEwen every inning, only allowing two more runs. Wayne County’s offense showed up at the plate with big hits from Brooklyn Crowell, Lia Sherrill, Isabel Morris, Gracie Staggs, Gabby Davis, and Bailey Staggs. Placing the bunts down and running the base path like a runaway train were Cheyene Malugen, Hannah Shelton, Jorja Bradley, Leah Voreis, Molly Pope, and Halle Runions. With defense and offense working for Wayne County, it was too much for McEwen. Wayne County pulled out a win 10-7.
The Championship Game!! Wayne County started out fast, scoring five runs in the first inning. Wayne County never looked back, beating McEwen 22-2 in the final game.
At the end, the parents were still cheering, the players jumping for joy, the sacrifices made throughout the summer, it finally came into perspective. The Wayne County All-Star team realized they had become Team Tennessee!
Team Tennessee now advances to the World Series in Alexandria, Louisiana later this month.
Players: Brooklyn Crowell, Lia Sherrill, Isabel Morris, Gracie Staggs, Bailey Staggs, Cheyene Malugen, Gabby Davis, Jorja Bradley, Halle Runions, Hannah Shelton, Leah Voreis, Molly Pope. Coaches: Dusty Malugen, Kyle Crowell, William Sherrill.
