Local little league team crowned state champs

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July 2, 2009

Anonymous The Tahlequah Daily Press Thu Jul 02, 2009, 08:49 PM CDT

TAHLEQUAH DAILY PRESS — The 10-and-under Tahlequah Tigers traveled to Moore on June 27-28 and took part in the USSSA State Tournament.

“The boys showed a lot of heart and determination this weekend,” said Coach Nate King. “Corbin Candy, Jace Dry, Jake Caldwell and Ryan Garcia kept us in the ball games with their pitching and we had some big key hits at key times.”

The Tigers got off to a good start on Saturday as they defeated the Norman Cardinals 11-2 and followed with a 10-9 win in extra innings against the Marlow Outlaws.

On Sunday, Tahlequah began the day with a game against the Duncan Benchwarmers. In this game, the Tigers bats disappeared and Tahlequah lost 10-2 and moved into the loser’s bracket for the remainder of the day.

In their next game, the Tigers rebounded with a come-from-behind win against the Duncan Renegades to advance to the championship against the Benchwarmers.

In the championship series, the Tigers won the first game 8-4 with some timely hits and a gutsy pitching performance by Caldwell.

The second game of the series found Tahlequah down 9-2 late in the game.

The Tigers refused to give up and scored 11 unanswered runs in the bottom of the fourth to take a 13-9 lead into the final inning.

Dry then pitched a scoreless fifth to clinch the state championship for the Tigers.

“We haven’t played much ball together as a team and the way they performed this weekend is just a glimpse of what they can be,” said King. “Winning the state championship is something these boys will never forget and I’m proud to be a part of it.”