Little League all-stars get off to good start
By Donnie A. Lucas
Both Albany Little League All-Star teams got off to a good start with a pair of wins on Monday against Haskell to open the District 5 tournament.
Albany’s 10U team defeated the visiting Haskell team 19-1, while the 12U team put together a 5-0 victory in the first pool game.
The two teams were in action again on Wednesday, hosting Clyde in the second and final pool game. The pool games will be used to determine seeding for bracket games that start Saturday.
Local Little League officials were not sure about the scheduling of the bracket games, but felt that the first round games on Saturday would probably be played in Albany. Times were not available at press time for the games.
Clint Chapman, coach for the 10U All-Stars, was obviously pleased with what he saw in Monday’s 19-1 win over Haskell.
Assisting Chapman with the coaching duties is Tony Wheeler.
“Aiden Vickers and Clay Chapman both pitched well, and all of the guys hit the ball well,” he said.
The 12U team is coached by John Tom Heatly, John Peterson, and David Fairchild.
“We had fantastic pitching from Laithe Leech, Wesley Gleitz, Sam Vickers, and Will LeMay,” Heatly said. “The pitchers combined for 12 strikeouts and allowed two hits in the shutout.”
The coach also commended the team for hitting the ball well in the 5-0 win over Haskell.
“Calhan Fairchild and Huffman Heatly both had doubles, and we got hits from Woods Peterson and Mason McCloy,” he said. “We ran the ball well, but our hitting was a little spotty. I wish it could have been more balanced throughout the game.”
Heatly said that he feels that Albany will host one or two bracket sets.
“We are expecting to host some of the rounds here in Albany again this season,” Heatly said Tuesday. “We won’t know for sure which teams will be playing where or when until the pool games are over, and they seed the teams.”
The 10U All-Stars team includes Clay Chapman, Aiden Vickers, Lyle Wheeler, Slayton Parsons, Bennett Neece, Colter Edgar, Blake Britting, Graham Ceder, Pecos Duke, and Jakobi Word. Cash Edgar is the alternate.
The 12U roster includes Will LeMay, Mason McCloy, Brody Oliver, Calhan Fairchild, Wesley Gleitz, Sam Vickers, Cade Fairchild, Huffman Heatly, Woods Peterson, Jake Hale, Shawn Keen, Gatlin Wills, and Laithe Leech.
