Local teams win District 5 tourneys

Calhoun 8U Baseball, Gordon 8U Softball win titles

Two local teams were the final teams standing in their respective tournaments on Tuesday night as they were each crowned District 5 champs at the Calhoun Recreation Department Complex.

The Calhoun 8-under All-Stars won the Georgia Parks and Recreation Association Class A/B District 5 Baseball Tournament, and the Gordon County 8-under All-Stars won the GRPA Class A/B District 5 Softball Tournament.

The Calhoun 8-under All-Stars battled back from the loser’s bracket to defeat the Gordon County All-Stars twice in the finals to earn the first-place trophy. They won three games total on Tuesday to complete the successful tournament run, defeating Rockmart (15-14), Gordon County (11-8) and Gordon County (24-19). The team is coached by Jacob Williams, Scott King, Andy Thomas, Anthony Ortiz and Casey Baxter. Players include Bryson Aikens, Charlie Baxter, Jett Cochran, Will Hall, Kayden Kernea, Parks Layson, Zaedyn Medders, Jamari Millsap, Jayce Stengel, Bently Talley, Riley Thomas and Jackson Williams.

The Gordon County 8-under All-Stars completed an undefeated run through their tournament with a 14-13 victory over Summerville in the finals on Tuesday. With no other districts in the state playing 8-under coach pitch softball in GRPA, the team also clinches a state title with their district tournament victory. The team is coached by Bartt Gil- reath, Sherman Hall, Kip Williams and Lee Crump. Players include Peyton Angel, Brooke Cole, Aubreigh Dixon, Ella Beth Gilreath, Lakelin Hall, Jazmine Hunter, Emma Johnson, Lila Mullinax, Ella Offutt, Ambree Quarles, Katelyn Redd, Bri Sims, Chloe Townsend, Bailey Williams, Brooke Williams and Briley Woody.

The Calhoun 8-under All- Stars will now advance to play in the GRPA 8-under Coach Pitch State Tourna- ment, which will also be held at the Calhoun Rec Department July 11-15.

The Gordon County 8-under All-Stars will play in the TriState Fastpitch Association World Series in Ringgold which starts on Saturday.

Photos by ALEX FARRER / staff ( The Gordon County All-Stars pose for a picture with their trophy after winning the GRPA 8-under Coach Pitch A/B District 5 Softball Tournament. ( The Calhoun All-Stars pose for a picture with their trophy after winning the GRPA 8-under Coach Pitch...