Above, Salem AAA players celebrate a “slaughter rule” win after Ben Keffer(#6) scored the winning run. Below are the District 7 champs. Front row, left to right; Ben Keffer, Mason Hale, Chase Rutledge, Carter Black and Adam Franklin.
Second row; Braedon Young, Adam Gaut, Thomas Millard, Ryan Coe(holding trophy),
James Buckles and Evan Fletcher. Back row are coaches Jeremy Rutledge, Kendall
Keffer and Josh Hale.
PHOTOS BY BRIAN HOFFMAN
The Salem AAA All-Stars are going to the state Dixie Baseball tournament. The Salem stars went undefeated in last weekend’s District 7 tournament to earn the trip to Appomattox.
The Dixie state AAA tournament will begin on July 21 in Appomattox, with Salem representing District 7. The tournament is for 10 and under boys.
Salem went 4-0 in the district, held at the Moyer Complex in Salem. The locals opened with a win over Glenvar last Wednesday, July 5, then edged Franklin County on Friday, 10-9. Glenvar was eliminated by North Roanoke on Friday with a second loss in the double elimination tournament.
Salem returned to action Saturday and took an 11-1 win over Vinton in the winners’ bracket final. The All-Stars had an off-day Sunday as Franklin County eliminated Vinton, setting up a Monday rematch between Franklin and Salem, with Franklin needing to win twice to take the district. However, an “if game” wasn’t necessary as Salem took a 16-5 win in four innings to win the district.
In the O-Zone tournament, for 12 and under boys, North Roanoke was the champion and runnerup Vinton will also advance to the state tournament. The O-Zone state will be held in Brookneal this weekend.
Salem got off to a good start in the O-Zone tournament, beating Franklin County, 10-1, in the opener then dusting Craig County, 12-2, in the second round. That put Salem in the winners’ bracket final, where they lost to North Roanoke. On Sunday Salem was eliminated by Vinton.
Glenvar went 0-2 in the O-Zone tournament. In the first game the Glenvar stars came from 7-1 behind to rally against Vinton before falling 12-11. Glenvar was then eliminated by Mount Pleasant on Friday.