North Myrtle Beach Times Serving our Community and the Grand Strand for over 50 years
By John Smithson
The NMB Parks and Recreation 12U all-star baseball team completed their undefeated march through the DYB “O” Zone Tournament as they beat Hilton Head and Lancaster to win the state championship.
The Chiefs beat Lancaster 4-3 last Monday night and then beat Orangeburg last Tuesday night to set up a meeting with Hilton Head last Wednesday. Dean Skovinski was on the mound for the Chiefs and he retired the side in, in order in the top of the first.
The Chiefs then struck for three runs in the bottom of the first inning. Kole Wilson homered on the first pitch he saw for a 1-0 Chiefs lead. After a Jackson White single, he stole second and made it to third after Camden Shirley was hit by a pitch. White scored on an error on a throw to second, and Shirley scored on a single by Reece Batchelder as the Chiefs took a 3-0 lead.
Hilton Head scored a run in the top of the third on a single, walk and Chiefs error, but the Chiefs added two more runs in the bottom of the third. Oliver Brin walked and then stole second and third before scoring on a sacrifice fly by Wilson. Hits by Shirley, Carter DelConte and Batchelder got the second run in for a 5-1 Chiefs lead.
Donald Beam was pitching to start the top of the fourth for the Chiefs and a fly to right got the first out. Two singles put runners on first and third. A stolen base put the runners on second and third and another hit scored two runs. After another hit scored a run, Wilson came in to pitch for the Chiefs, but the tying run scored on a single before the Chiefs got the third out and a 5-5 tie game.
The Chiefs went back in front 6-5 in the bottom of the fourth and then scored two more runs in the bottom of the fifth on a Wilson single and two run homer to right by Cam Shirley for an 8-5 lead.
Hilton Head wasn’t quitting. A walk, Chiefs error and single scored a run. Cam Shirley came in to pitch and gave up a run on a second hit. He settled down and got a grounder to second for one out and two strikeouts to end the game, the Chiefs breathing a sigh of relief, and moving on with the 8-7 victory.
Moving on meant a championship game with Lancaster, who survived play in the loser’s bracket. That game was set for 10 a.m. on Thursday.
Cam Shirley was back on the mound against Lancaster. He worked out of a first inning jam. A walk and single put runners on first and second with one out. A groundout to second moved the runners up a base, but Shirley struck out the last hitter of the top of the first.
The Chiefs got an infield hit from Jackson White and Shirley single to right to set up a two-run scoring hit by DelConte to give the Chiefs a 2-0 lead.
The Chiefs maintained their 2-0 lead until the top of the fourth inning. Lancaster got a runner to third and scored one on a single to center. A catcher to first out and foul out ended the threat by Lancaster, leaving runners on second and third.
The Chiefs got runners to first and third in the bottom of the fifth but couldn’t score. They did add one more run in the bottom of the fifth to lead 3-1. Kole Wilson came in to pitch the top of the sixth.
Wilson got the first out on a liner to third. A called strike three on a 3\2 count was followed by a single to center, but Wilson struck out the last Lancaster batter and the Chiefs whooped and ran to a quick celebration huddle before shaking hands and celebrating their state championship.
Coach Dan Brin was excited after his team’s championship. “I am really proud of these kids. It’s their third year getting to the state championship and they finally got the prize. I am proud of the hard work they have put in and the determination they have shown. They have been here as the 9-10 team and now the 12u team. It was great to get past Greer and Hilton Head and all the teams that have eliminated us in the past.”
Brin also was thankful for the community’s support.” I must thank all the moms and families of this team for their help, and a big thank you to the business community and team fans for their assistance. We have another week of hotels and travel. I really appreciate the support,” Brin said.
The DYB world series begins Friday, August 1, in Lexington, South Carolina. The best teams from eleven other states will join North Myrtle Beach in the tournament. The Chiefs play Georgia first. After that it all depends on winning or losing to see how far you go. The DYB YouTube channel is expected to stream games during the series.
