9U East Coast Global State Champions. Front Row (L-R) Landon Mills, Josh Adams, Will Atkinson, A’Shani McFarland, Owen Taylor. Middle Row (L-R) Adam Bytheway, Cameron Harvey, Hunter Polston, Jonathan Gordon, Keyshawn McDonald, McIver Wallace, Garrett Beachum. Back Row (L-R) Head Coach, Richie Mill, Coach Kevin Harvey, and Coach Woody Atkinson. The little boy in the red, very front row, is Trion McDonald.
The Shockers continue to baffle and frustrate their opponents by refusing to lose and choosing to win. They are truly “winners by choice” and winners because they have learned how to impose their will through belief, hard work, and commitment upon the opposition. Individually, these are simply a group of ordinary boys who enjoy doing what ordinary boys do. Individually, they are not overly imposing. However, when placed together, their sum becomes greater than their individual parts. When placed together, the hand of one becomes the hand of all and you simply have one hand, one mind, one heart and one objective — to win.
In the first two games for seeding on Saturday, the Shockers relied upon stellar pitching from Landon Mills, Hunter Polson, Owen Taylor, Jonathan Gordon, and Will Atkinson to snuff the life out of “Line Drive” and take the bite out of the Surf Side Sharks team. McIver Wallace and Jonathan Gordon were big in the catcher’s position; Cameron Harvey contributed a timely RBI and the rest of the team played shut down defense as the Shockers cruised to victory by the scores of 8-0 and 4-0. Keyshawn McDonald made a crucial play by taking away a hit to right field by throwing the runner out at first base.
On championship Sunday, the bats came alive and the Shockers were cruising toward earning easy victories in both of the contests. However, a few mental mistakes in each of the games saw the Shockers with their backs to the wall in the final frame of the semi-final and championship game. In the semi-final, the Shockers trailed 11 to 10. Jonathan Gordon led off with a base hit, followed by a fielder’s choice by Landon Mills and another base hit by McIver Wallace. Will Atkinson drew a walk to load the bases and Hunter Polson hammered a walk off double off the top of the fence in right field for the 12 to 11 win.
Once again, the Shockers blew a 5-0 lead in the championship game to set up another epic ending. Will Atkinson took away a base hit up the middle by throwing the runner out before reaching first base from his center field position. That play halted any potential rally by the 8th ranked team from North Carolina and ignited the bats of the Shockers. Hunter Polson drew a walk and was followed by a single from Ashni who was 4 for 4 at the bat during the contest, including a solo home run from the lead off position to start the game. Keyshawn McDonald laid down a sacrifice bunt to put the runners in scoring position on second and third base. With one out and the third and fourth hitters coming to bat in Owen Taylor and Jonathan Gordon, the fans knew the game was about to be over. Owen Taylor delivered the game-winning double for the 7-5 victory.
“I told the guys that the coaches are getting too old for all of this excitement at the end of games,” said coach Richie Mills. “I’m so proud of our guys because they never quit and always believe that when we put God first, good things will happen.”
The Shockers would like to thank the following sponsors, Strike Zone of Hartsville, Lewis Realty, Cheraw Iron and Metal, Harpe’s Family Automotive, Gordon’s Carpet Cleaning, Dean and Donna Smith of Myrtle Beach, and Nana’s Kitchen. Your support has helped the Shockers remain the number team in power ratings in South Carolina and one of the top 5 teams in the country.
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