The recent 2018 Dixie Boys 15U State Tournament added another winning chapter to the rich legacy of Charlotte County baseball, and this chapter was written right in Charlotte Court House on Randolph-Henry High School’s Bankston Field.

We would like to congratulate the Charlotte County All-Star team that went undefeated in the six-team field to clinch the state championship and advance to the 2018 Dixie Boys 15U World Series in Ozark, Alabama. That tournament will run July 19-22.

In addition to Charlotte County, the state tourney featured teams from Bedford, Buckingham, Carroll and Halifax counties and Madison Heights.

We would be remiss if we didn’t note that the Charlotte County squad had key help from talent stemming from neighboring Prince Edward County, as there was no Prince Edward team. Together, the group went 4-0, outscoring its state-level opponents 39-6.

Jeff Rapole, the Charlotte County All- Star team’s manager, had the highest of praise for his players.

“The thing is the kids are resilient,” he said. “We have a great pitching staff, and our defense is on point. Only giving up a few runs, as we did in the tournament, it’s very impressive. The boys just play well together. They’re a great group of kids, probably the best I’ve ever coached.”

During the tournament, they opened their run with an 8-0 victory over Bedford County, then topped Madison Heights twice — 9-1 in pool play and 5-1 in single-elimination play. In the state championship game, Charlotte County pulled away to defeat Carroll County 17-4.

Rapole extended credit for his team’s success to the entire Charlotte County community.

“Everybody in the community has helped,” he said. “It’s been basically a community-oriented team. And Randolph-Henry Athletics was a great supporter for the tournament.”