Published on Saturday, August 9, 2008

Lumberton Advances to Final Day of World Series

Three home runs propel spectacular come-from-behind win

Lumberton rallies back from 8-1 deficit to defeat Troup County 13-10

Barfield, Swiderski, and Odum hit home runs

(photos & article courtesy of Daniel Kenney)

(LaGrange, Georgia) - The North Carolina (Lumberton) All-Stars won their 4th straight game in the 53rd Annual Dixie Youth World Series by rallying from an 8-1 deficit to defeat Troup County (GA) 13-10 on Friday night. Gage Hardin got the win for North Carolina and teammates Hunter Barfield, Austin Swiderski, and Evan Odum hit home runs to propel the comeback victory.

Troup County started the scoring in the 1st inning by tallying 5 runs on 5 hits. Lumberton did not score in the 1st inning, but was able to cut the lead to 5-1 in the bottom of the 2nd inning when Hunter Barfield crushed a solo home run over the left field fence. Lumberton left 3 runners on base in the 1st inning and one on base in the 2nd inning. In the top of the 3rd inning, Troup County used a three-run homer by Parker Pearson to extend their lead to 8-1. In the bottom of the 3rd inning, Lumberton got singles from their first three batters, Alec Brewingto, Gage Hardin, and Evan Odum. Troup County retired the next two batter and appeared likely to force Lumberton to strand base runners, as in previous innings. However, Austin Swiderski stepped up to the plate and blasted the first pitch nearly 300 feet down the left field line for a grand slam home run. Swiderski's grand slam cut Troup County's lead to 8-5 and gave Lumberton new life.

In the 4th inning, Lumberton scored two more runs when Evan Odum drilled a hit that scored Hunter Barfield and Alec Brewington. Troup County scored two runs in the top of the 5th inning with two walks and two singles. In the bottom of the 5th inning, Lumberton completed its comeback with a nine-batter rally that started when Austin Swiderski singled to right field and Nolan Locklear drew a walk. C.J. Lockear and Mack Kenney pinch ran for Lumberton. Hunter Barfield followed with a single that scored C.J. Locklear and advanced Mack Kenney to second base. J.J. Oxendine drew a walk to load the bases. With the score 10-8, Alec Brewington lifted a sacrifice fly to right center that scored Mack Kenney on a close play at the plate, making the score 10-9. With one out, Gage Hardin hit a ground ball to third base that the Troup County third baseman threw past the first baseman. Hunter Barfield and J.J. Oxendine both scored to make the score 11-10. Evan Odum hit the next pitch to left center field to put Lumberton ahead 13-10. In the top of the 6th inning, Troup County hit a single, but two strikeouts and a ground out to shortstop ended the game 13-10 in Lumberton's favor.

Lumberton's victory leaves only three teams (Lumberton, Troup County, and McComb) still alive, each with only one loss, in the AAA Dixie Youth World Series. Since McComb (Mississippi) won the bye, Lumberton will face Troup County at 10:00 am on Saturday morning to determine McComb's opponent in the Dixie Youth World Series Championship at 6:00 pm.