Thomaston-Upson All Stars Finish 2nd In State

The Thomaston-Upson All Stars battled Troup National in LaGrange Saturday morning for the state championship. Troup shut down the T-U bats and claimed the state title 10-0.

The All Stars finish the season as runner-up in the state, members of the team are pictured below, left to right, front row: Jalen Martin, Zach Gooden, Zach Davis, Nash Franklin, Dalton Richmond, Will Barfield and Kody Wall.

Second Row: Coach Steve Ward, Justin Ward, Rodney Raines, Coach Ron Pollard, Nathan Pollard, Dupri Carter, Clark Daniel, Peyton Butterfield and Coach Jeff Franklin.

All Stars Lose To Troup

The Thomaston-Upson All Stars lost to Troup National 6-2 in the opening game of the best of three state championship.

Peyton Butterfield (right) watches the ball leave the park for one of his two hits, Rodney Raines had two hits and Cody Wall one as the Troup pitching staff held the All Stars to five on the day.

Zach Gooden struck out 5 in his four innings on the mound, Nathan Pollard pitched the final inning and struck out one batter.

Defensively the T-U All Stars played well, Pollard (left)played shortstop the first four innings and made an unassisted double play after catching a line drive to his left.

Troup National is undefeated in the tournament and Friday’s game was only the second time that they were forced to go the full six innings, it was also their lowest scoring game although they did hit four home runs. The two teams will decide the state champion Saturday in LaGrange, the first game is at 10 am and if necessary, the second game will be at 12:30 pm at the George H . Harris Baseball Complex, 131 Ragland Street.

Local Baseball Player Injured In Auto Accident

Dalton Richmond is a member of the Thomaston-Upson Dixie Youth All Star 11-12 year old team that is playing for the state championship Friday and Saturday in LaGrange.

Dalton will put on his uniform just like all his teammates but he won’t see any action due to a broken left arm he suffered in an auto accident while on his way to LaGrange for Monday evening’s game.

Dalton and his family approached the intersection of Highway 18 and Cedar Rock Road in Meriwether County and met a vehicle with it’s right turn signal on. Instead of making the right turn as the driver indicated, the oncoming car made a left turn forcing the Richmond’s to leave the road to avoid a collision.

There were no other injuries in the accident and Dalton is the new owner of a cast that is already covered in autographs.

To show their support, the team posed for a picture following Thursday nights game with everyone holding up their left arm.

All Stars Play For Championship

The Thomaston-Upson All Stars defeated Wrens 5-3 Thursday to advance to the state championship series in the Dixie Youth 11-12 year old tournament.

The championship series is a best two out of three beginning Friday evening at 6 pm at the George H . Harris Baseball Complex, 131 Ragland Street in LaGrange.

Zach Gooden started for the T-U All Stars and pitched two innings, he struck out 4 of the 6 batters he faced. Rodney Raines pitched the final four frames, recorded 7 strikeouts and gave up three unearned runs.

Gooden picked up a couple of hits, Nash Franklin, Dupri Carter and Jaylen Martin each added a hit. Wrens rallied in the 6th inning and had the tying runs on base but Raines was able to put the fire out and preserve the win.

The trip over to LaGrange is about 50 minutes, the drive is easy, the facility where the games are held is easy to find and there is no excuse for Thomaston and Upson County not to turn out and support their team. Take 74 west to Woodbury, straight under the light to Greenville, stay on 109 under I-85, go about 2.5 miles and turn left at the first light past the Kia dealership, on Ragland turn left at the stop sign and your looking at the parking lot.

The Thomaston-Upson All Stars will play Friday at 6 pm and again at 10 am on Saturday morning, the third game if necessary will be played at 12;30 pm Saturday. The next team to win two games will advance to the Dixie Youth World Series in Carthage, North Carolina.

Thomaston-Upson All Stars In Elimination Game

The Thomaston-Upson All Stars dropped their first game of the state tournament Wednesday evening, losing to Wrens 8-1.

Each team now has one loss and will play again Thursday at 6 pm in LaGrange at the George H . Harris Baseball Complex, 131 Ragland Street.

Thomaston-Upson All Stars Win

The Thomaston-Upson All Stars defeated Donalsonville 10-8 Tuesday night in LaGrange and are now one win away from playing for the state championship.

Nathan Pollard homered for the second game in a row, Clark Daniel, Dupri Carter and Peyton Butterfield all saw action on the mound. The T-U All Stars overcame a 6-0 lead by Donalsonville in the bottom of the 4th inning to win.

The All Stars will play Wrens at 6 pm Wednesday evening at the George H . Harris Baseball Complex, 131 Ragland Street in LaGrange. (About 1.5 miles west of I-85, turn left off of Hwy 109 onto Ragland).

Thomaston-Upson All Stars Roar Into Third Round

The Thomaston-Upson All Stars defeated Newton County 16-1 in the second round of the Dixie Youth State Baseball Tournament Sunday afternoon.

Coach Steve Ward took advantage of the big lead by using four pitchers, Zach Gooden started the game then turned it over to Peyton Butterfield, Rodney Raines and Justin Ward to finish up the blowout.

The T-U All Stars will play Mountain Park at 8 pm in LaGrange Monday evening at the George H . Harris Baseball Complex 131 Ragland Street. (About 1.5 miles west of I-85, turn left off of Hwy 109 onto Ragland).

All Stars In Dixie Youth State Tournament

The Thomaston-Upson All Stars begin their quest for the Dixie Youth State Baseball championship for 11 and 12 year olds Saturday. The team is coached by Steve Ward, Jeff Franklin and Ron Pollard.

The T-U All Stars will play Albany at noon, the winner will play again at 4:00 pm on Sunday, the loser will play at 2:00 pm.

The state tournament will be held in LaGrange at the George H . Harris Baseball Complex 131 Ragland Street. (About 1.5 miles west of I-85, turn left off of Hwy 109 onto Ragland.)

Thomaston-Upson All Stars Win

The Thomaston-Upson All Stars defeated Pike County Friday evening 9-3 to win the Dixie Youth District Baseball tournament for 11 and 12 year olds. They advance to the state tournament and will play in LaGrange at noon on Saturday, July 16th.

The All Stars scored 5 runs in the first inning on four hits and two Pike County errors, Zach Gooden and Dupri Carter both doubled and scored in the inning. T-U added runs in the 3rd and 4th before putting the game away with 2 in the 6th.

Gooden was 2 for 2 with a pair of doubles and 2 runs scored, Clark Daniel went 2 for 3 with 2 runs scored, Payton Butterfield was 1 for 3 and scored twice.

Carter, Justin Ward and Nathan Pollard each had a hit and a run scored.

Daniel pickup up the win going 4.1 innings, he was charged with the three Pike runs while giving up 4 hits and striking out 3. Butterfield came on in relief with one out in the 5th and shut down Pike County, he gave up 1 hit and struck out 1.

Pike County Wins

Pike County defeated the Thomaston-Upson All Stars 5-1 to force a deciding game Friday.

Pike County held a 2-0 lead going to the bottom of the 4th and took advantage of an error to plate three unearned runs. A bases loaded opportunity for the All Stars was lost in the top of the 5th inning when Pike County was able to turn a double play thanks to a shoestring catch of a fly ball in right field and a quick throw behind the runner at first.

Nathan Pollard, Clark Daniel, Payton Butterfield, Dalton Richmond and Zack Davis had the only hits of the game for the All Stars. Zach Gooden pitched five innings and took the loss, he will not be available to pitch in Friday’s game.

The game will start at 7 pm at the Little League field across from Upson EMC.

Thomaston-Upson All Stars Win

The Thomaston-Upson All Stars defeated Pike County Tuesday evening 8-6 to advance to the championship game of the Dixie Youth District Baseball tournament for 11 and 12 year olds.

Zach Gooden pitched 5 strong innings for the win, giving up 2 runs on 4 hits, he struck out 11 and walked 3. Clark Daniel pitched the final inning and gave up 4 unearned runs when Pike County mounted a rally thanks to a couple of errors, a hit, a walk and a passed ball.

The park would not hold Nathan Pollard’s only hit of the night, he homered with Gooden on base in the first inning. Gooden and Kody Wall were both 2 for 2 and scored a run. Nash Franklin, Dupri Carter and Zach Davis each singled. Carter, Daniel, Justin Ward and Brody Peoples each scored a run.

Ward made the defensive play of the game with an over the shoulder catch of a popup in the bottom of the second inning.

Kody Fulghum started for Pike County and took the loss.

The Thomaston-Upson All Stars will play Thursday evening at 7 pm against the winner of Wednesday night’s game between Troup American and Pike County, that game will start at 7 pm also. The games are played at the Little League Field across from Upson EMC.

Admission is $3 for adults and $2 for ages 6-15. 6 & Under no charge.

Thomaston-Upson All Stars Win

The Thomaston-Upson All Stars defeated Troup American 9-2 Saturday in the opening round of the Dixie Youth Baseball District Tournament for 11 and 12 year olds.

Zack Gooden (right) led the All Stars with a pair of home runs going 2 for 3 at the plate and pitching 3 innings, he struck out 8 of the 9 batters he faced.

Clark Daniel had a couple of singles and a double in three at bats, he pitched 2 innings, striking out 2 and giving up a walk.

Brody Peoples pitched the final inning, striking out 2 and hitting 1.

Most of the lineup, Nash Franklin, Nathan Pollard, Dupi Carter, Justin Ward and Kody Wall all singled and scored a run. Dalton Richmond also had a single while Jaylen Martin and Zach Davis both reached base on a walk.

Payton Butterfield (left) lofted a triple off the right field fence, singled and scored a run, he was 2 for 3 on the day.

Pike County defeated Manchester 13-0 in the second game.

There will be no games on Monday the 4th, the tournament will resume play on Tuesday with Troup American playing Manchester at 6:00 and the Thomaston-Upson All Stars taking on Pike County at 8:00 pm, the games are being played at the Little League Field across from Upson EMC.

Admission is $3 for adults and $2 for ages 6-15. 6 & Under no charge.

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Dixie Youth Baseball Tournament

The Dixie Youth Baseball District Tournament for 11 and 12 year olds gets underway in Thomaston on Saturday, July 2.

The games will be played at the Little League Field across from Upson EMC.

The first game is at 10:00 am, the Thomaston-Upson All Stars will play Troup American. Game 2 is at noon with Pike County playing Manchester.

There will be no games on Monday the 4th, the tournament will resume play on Tuesday with  games at 6:00 and 8:00 pm.  Semi-final will be Wednesday and the Championship game is scheduled for Thursday.  In the event of a rain-out, teams may play on Friday.

Admission is $3 for adults and $2 for ages 6-15.  6 & Under no charge.