By Brian Jessup
The 2019 Dixie Youth District 3 All-Star Tournament was held June 21 – 26 in Radford. The Ozone league tournament began with seven teams, Radford, Blacksburg, Pulaski County, Floyd County, Giles County, Montgomery County and Patrick County. Impressively, the Patrick County Ozone League All-Stars finished the tournament 5-0 and brought home the championship crown on Wednesday, June 26 after defeating Blacksburg 8-2.
The Patrick County Ozone team (11- and 12-year-olds) started the tournament with a win against Pulaski County, winning 8-0. In the second game of the tournament, the PC All-Stars faced off with Giles County. Patrick won that game 6-0 with 7 players combining for 9 hits.
The third game of the tournament proved to be a much tighter and competitive game for the PC All-Stars during a matchup with the tournament favorite, Blacksburg. Patrick County’s offense racked up 11 hits and only 1 strike out to beat Blacksburg 4-0. Two Patrick County pitchers dominated the game on the mound by combining together in the winning effort with 12 strike outs and no walks.
After game three of the tournament, Patrick County stood alone in the unbeaten winner’s bracket. During the fourth and tournament semifinal game, the Patrick team found itself in a rematch with Pulaski County. Patrick had a sensational game against Pulaski and won in blowout fashion, 19-1. Patrick County’s offense tallied up 14 hits on 9 singles, 3 doubles and 2 homeruns.
The final game of the tournament resulted in round 2 with the Blacksburg All-Stars. Patrick County, still undefeated, dominated the game defensively with 10 strikeouts and offensively with 10 singles and 1 homerun. The PC Ozone team won the championship 8-2, defending its title and bringing the crown back to Patrick County for a third year in a row.
With the championship, Patrick County advances to the 2019 Dixie Youth Ozone State Tournament which begins July 5 in South Boston.
Team members include Lucas Taylor, Easton Harris, Noah Jessup, Chance Corns, Broc Taylor, David Lawson, Hunter Heath, Hunter Pendleton, Stuart Callahan, Jackson Horton, Gavin Fain and Avery Brintle.
Several Patrick County players received first and second team all-tournament honors: Noah Jessup, son of Brian and Traci Jessup, was named first team all-tournament catcher; Chance Corns, son of Chad and
Amy Corns, first team infielder; Stuart Callahan, son of Stuart Callahan and Misty Hazelwood Roberts, and Hunter Pendleton, son of Tony and Amy Pendleton, first team pitchers; David Lawson, son of DJ and Miranda Lawson, first team outfielder; Gavin Fain, son of Jerimiah and Melody Fain, first team outfielder; and Avery Brintle, son of Eric and Bethany Turman Brintle, second team outfielder.
The team’s head coach is Brian Jessup. Assistant coaches are DJ Lawson, Michael Hall, Rob Taylor and Chad Corns.
