Brewington's crew breezed through the Dixie Youth district tournament at Bill Sapp Recreation Center, before capturing the state crown last weekend in Cerro Gordo. Lumberton outscored its opponents 76-14 in the state tournament.
The team members are: Raleigh Forrest, Jack Frederick, Hunter Jolicoeur, Evan Odum, Travis Suggs, Daniel Oxendine, Gage Hardin, Richard Thomas, Austin Swiderski, Austin Hayes, Tyler Musselwhite and Alec Brewington.
“Our 12th batter could as easily go 4-for-4 as our lead-off man,” Brewington said. “We want someone to walk up in the second inning and not know where we are in the lineup. On the team, there is not a drop off in the lineup. We are solid one through 12. Everybody has done their job.”
After winning the state tournament, Lumberton will advance to the Dixie Youth Majors World Series in Gonzales, La. The team will open play against a team from Tyler, Texas on Aug. 7.
This will be the second appearance in a Dixie Youth World Series for six of the 12 members of the team.
“It's the second time in three years, but for six of them it's the first time going to the World Series,” Brewington said. “So the excitement is still there. They know what to expect. We were co- runners-up two years ago, hopefully this time we can bring back the championship.”
While Brewington admits one of the team's strengths is being able to score runs, he is just as pleased with the team's defense.
“We make the plays that we need to make,” Brewington said. “We're not giving teams extra outs. We can hit the long ball and play small ball. We know we can win a 2-1 game.”
Brewington added one of the keys to his team's defensive success is a drill he picked up watching a Lumberton High School practice.
“Coach (Paul) Hodges has his guys get 21 outs in a row,” Brewington said. “If they make an error, then they have to start over. We do it with 18 outs. Once it gets to 14 or 15, then the pressure is on. This helps them in the game where they are comfortable making the plays.”
Besides having “a good group of kids,” Brewington said the fact they have accepted their roles has been critical in the team's success.
“As coaches we have had decisions come up and we have had to make some tough choices,” Brewington said. “But the kids have bought into our coaching style and what we believe in.”
Advancing to the World Series is just part of the battle for Brewington, another part is helping to raise funds to help play for the trip.
“We're going to different people and businesses around the county because it's going to take quite a bit of money,” Brewington said. “When they went to the World Series in Georgia, we raised $20,000 and we were there all week and it took all of that for meals, rooms and traveling back and forth to the park.
“We want to raise more than that this time since Gonzales is further away. We want the kids to concentrate on baseball, not about how much money is needed. To get to a World Series doesn't happen often, it's a once in a lifetime thing.”
To contribute to the team's trip, contact Brewington at (910) 316-5068 or Bruce Mullis, the Lumberton Youth Baseball Association's treasurer at (910) 734-5068.
n Sports editor Shawn Stinson can be reached at sstinson@heartlandpublications.com or 272-6111.
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