Both the 12U and 10U Kosciusko All-Star teams competed in the Diamond Youth Baseball state tournament this weekend at Hugh Ellard Park. Both teams earned automatic bids since Kosciusko served as the host city this year.
Despite great team effort and dedication, both teams went 0-2 in the tournament and were eliminated in the second round.
“We had glances of greatness,” 12U head coach Chris Carpenter said of his team’s performance in the tournament.
Kosciusko 12U opened the tournament against Biloxi in the first round and fell 11–4. Kosciusko trailed the whole game but put offensive pressure on Biloxi throughout the game, but couldn’t seem to plate runners in scoring position in crucial times.
Biloxi went on to be the runner up in the tournament.
Kosciusko went on to face Ellisville in an elimination round the next day, which they lost 10-2. Carpenter said he was pleased with the pitching but small mistakes throughout the game were too much to overcome.
“I thought they did good,” Carpenter said. He added that the team showed strong play in the district tournament and that, even with the short All‑Star season, it turned out to be a successful one.
Biloxi and Vancleave battled it out in the championship with Vancleave winning it all 13-4. Biloxi and Vancleave will now get to participate in the 12U DYB World Series in Laurel, MS.
“These kids never quit fighting,” Kosciusko 10U head coach Bobby Land said of his team's performance in the tournament.
Kosciusko 10U opened the tournament against St. Martin and put up a solid effort before being run‑ruled in the first‑round game.
“They showed a lot of fight and never gave up,” Land said of his team’s effort in a tough game.
Kosciusko then faced West Lauderdale in the first round of the losers bracket, where they lost 3-2. “We had a couple balls not go our way,” Land said of the close matchup.
Kosciusko controlled the game early with a 2–0 lead and went into the bottom of the final inning ahead 2–1. But the team surrendered two runs in the last frame and couldn’t hang on.
“The future is bright for these kids,” Land said was his main takeaway from the tournament. Land added that most of his players only play recreational ball, and he was proud of how they battled against teams made up of kids with more tournament experience.
For 10U Vancleave and East Central met for the championship game with Vancleave winning. Both teams will also receive invitations to the DYB World Series tournament for the 10U bracket.
Land mentioned that he was impressed with Kosciusko Parks and Recreation, and wanted to extend a special thanks to them for a great tournament.
