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We are the champions - again

By Michael Butler

This thing is becoming familiar. World Series titles in back-to-back years have come to Tallassee.

Tallassee's 10u state championship team represented the state of Alabama in Carthage, N.C. last week in the Angels X-Play Division. The girls swept through the field with six victories, defeating Louisiana in the final by a score of 1-0.

Seven Tallassee players had the same experience last year in winning the 8u World Series in Bay St. Louis, Miss.

Coach Andy Davidson said the title win on Wednesday would be his last game as a coach but stated that many of these same girls would be back next season with the other coaches; Mark Segrest, Mike Royster and Tim Collier, for a three-peat.

Players are greeted by fans on their triumphant return home

"This is how I wanted to go out," Davidson said. "It's an awesome group of girls. They don't complain about the four-hour practices. They complain when we don't practice. It's a very humbling experience."

In the championship game, Sydnie Reese won the pitcher's duel with Georgia French from Sabine, La. Reese struck out 10 Louisiana batters with no walks.

Louisiana loaded the bases in its last at-bat with one out. Reese struck out Jada Carhee and got French to pop out to Jenna Manning at second base to preserve the victory.

"I lost five years of my life in that last inning," Davidson added. "These kids are resilient. They never give up. There are no selfish players on this team."

Tallassee scored its only run in the first inning when Anna Catherine Segrest was batted in by Reese. Both teams mustered just three hits each. Segrest had a single. Brooke Royster went 2-for-2 with a pair of singles.

The 1-0 win was team Alabama's second of the week over Louisiana. The Tallassee girls outscored the opposition 39-1 with wins over Tennessee (6-0), Mississippi (14-0), North Carolina (8-0), South Carolina (6-0) and Louisiana (4-1/1-0).

We represented the state of Alabama well," said Davidson. "I think we represented Tallassee well."

Fans agreed. Hundreds gathered at the Tallassee Recreation Center as the team was paraded down Gilmer Avenue in fire trucks for the homecoming on Thursday evening.

Roster

Chloe Davidson
Anna Catherine Segrest
Kirsten Collier
Kenlee Rodgers
Brooke Royster
Bella Studdard
Jenna Manning
Marlee Stewart
Hadli Roberts
Mya Holt
Sydnie Reese
Kylee Smith
Abbie Davis

Coaches: Andy Davidson, Mark Segrest, Mike Royster, Tim Collier

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