14U team wins Dixie state championship

Published 10:09 am Wednesday, August 1, 2018

The Charlotte County 14U All-Star baseball team, which features six players from Prince Edward County, went 5-0 in the recent 2018 Dixie Boys 14U State Tournament in Franklin County, booking a ticket for the World Series, which begins Friday in Bossier City, Louisiana.

In the 10-team field of the double-elimination state tourney, Charlotte took on four different opponents, outscoring them 66-22.

“We were great on the hitting side,” Charlotte Manager Jeff Rapole said. However, “… you’ve got to watch our pitching. We don’t have quite as many pitchers, but the team is great. They go out and hit the ball hard.”

To open its bid for the state title July 13 in Rocky Mount, Charlotte defeated the host team 17-5 in a mercy rule-shortened game. In its next game, Charlotte edged Buckingham 7-6. This game ended early due to a forfeit.

Charlotte topped Halifax 18-8, then shut out Vinton, 13-0.

The state championship game involved a rematch with Halifax, and Charlotte triumphed 11-3.

The Charlotte County players on the team include Brandin Henson, Maurice Hurt, Sully Jones, Hunter Rapole and Luke Skelton.

Representing Virginia, Charlotte is set to play Tennessee on Friday at 7 p.m. CDT, 8 p.m. EST, in the 2018 Dixie Boys 14U World Series. To watch live broadcasts of the World Series games, go to YouTube.com and search for “JockJive Sports.” Please note, Bossier City, Louisiana, is an hour behind Charlotte County due to the difference in time zones.