IN CRUNCH time, the Jackson County Force responded in state championship style.
The Force broke a 9-9 tie in the bottom of the fifth and then held the North Georgia Bandits off the scoreboard the rest of the way to win the Dizzy Dean 13-year-old all-star finals 10-9 Tuesday in Jefferson.
The back-and-forth contest included four ties and three lead-changes, but it was Jackson County who celebrated last.
“The boys, they don’t ever give up,” coach Jay Latty said. “That’s the biggest thing about these kids. They’ve played together for about six or seven years, and they never give up. That’s the one thing we love about them.”
The Force’s Joel Ellis turned in an MVP-caliber performance in the clutch. Ellis came on in relief of Jace Latty in the top of the fifth and shutout North Georgia over the final two and two-thirds innings. Ellis also broke the 9-9 tie with a RBI double in the bottom of the fifth.
Ellis shared most valuable player honors with Latty and Brett Bowen.
“It was a big tournament for the three MVPs,” coach Latty said. “They had a real good state tournament. Nothing off any of the other boys – they all contributed; they all played hard. You can’t give them all the trophy.”
The victory capped a 4-0 run for the Force through the state tournament, which started Saturday. Jackson County beat Druid Hills and the Jackson County Elite before topping the Bandits twice to claim the championship banner.
Now, the Force moves onto the Dizzy Dean World Series, which will be hosted by Jackson County at Lamar Murphy Park. Opening ceremonies begin next Thursday.
“We’re looking forward to it,” Latty said. “We’re on a roll right now.”
Here’s a run down of other local teams playing in state tournaments.
•The Jackson County Elite 13-year-old all-stars: beat Sandy Plains (Saturday), beat Carroll County (Saturday), lost to the Jackson County Force (Sunday), lost to Druid Hills (Monday).
•Jackson County 11-year-old all-stars: lost to Canton (July 2), lost to Kennesaw (July 2).
•Jefferson 11-year-old all-stars (playing in ‘B’ state tournament): lost to the Oregon Park Tide (Friday), lost to the Oregon Park Grizzlies (Saturday).
•Jefferson 9-year-old all-stars: lost to Rome (Friday), beat Rossville (Saturday), beat Buckhead (Sunday), lost to Oregon Park (Monday).
•Jackson County 9-year-old all-stars (playing in ‘B’ state tournament): beat Bartow County (Saturday), lost to NYO (Sunday), beat Whitfield (Monday), lost to Wills Park (Monday).
