Smithfield 10U, 12U teams finish fourth in World Series
Published 3:46 pm Tuesday, August 2, 2022
Pictured from left, back row, are 12U coaches Jeff Bingham, Hank Sundburg and Brad Livesay. Not pictured is Coach Corey Hearn. In front are players Jake Gray, Colton Bingham, Tanner Keckler, Blake Darden, Alexander Santana, Noah Cox, Hank Sundburg, Tanner Brobst, Evan Canada, Jesse Hearn, Landon Westheimer, Royce Hall, Will Johnston, Ashton Livesay and Michael Ruff, after winning the sections tournament the weekend of July 9-10. Submitted photo
Pictured from left, top row, are coaches Bill Harpley, Billy Nelms, Cecil Dewees and Jimmy Auvil. Second row, from left are Carter Dewees, Brett Oliver, Landon Auvil, Vincent Dickens, Andy Jewell, Tucker McCormick, Grant Winslow and Henry Havlin. Kneeling from left are Ayden Harpley, Wesley Harpley, Kyle Messinea, Jaxon Williams\ and Nathan Nelson after winning their trophy from the East Zone Championship in Kempsville, Virginia. Submitted photo
Smithfield’s 10U (ages 10 and under) and 12U (ages 12 and under) baseball teams each finished fourth in their respective World Series tournaments.
Smithfield’s 10U team traveled to Youngsville, Louisiana for the July 29-Aug. 1 Mustang League tournament. The 12U team traveled to the Bronco League tournament in Laredo, Texas, on the same dates.
They are the first teams in Smithfield Recreation Association history to play in a World Series.
In Youngsville, the 10U team was joined by teams from Texas, California, Louisiana and even international teams from Baja California, Mexico, and Venezuela. In Laredo, the 12U team was joined by international teams from Taiwan, the Dominican Republic and Mexico, as well as U.S. teams from Texas, California and Ohio.
“We got to see some great talent,” said 10U Coach Jimmy Auvil Jr. “The kids played their heart out.”
John Sundburg, the 12U coach, said his team won against San Juan, Texas, but lost to Mexico. The 12U team was in the process of flying home Tuesday morning.
Prior to the World Series tournaments, the 10U team’s season record stood at 25 wins and two losses, while the 12U team had 18 wins, four losses and one tie.
“Next year, we’re going to aim to be back at the World Series,” Auvil said.
