Clay County
Junior League
Baseball
All Stars 2002

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Shortstop Brandon Griffin
makes a long throw for an
out in the Junior Stars'
game with Corbin.

Reprinted from the Manchester Enterprise

Junior Stars top Corbin 6-3
to win Area 2 Title


Despite being out hit 7-3 in the Area 2 finals, Clay County's 9-10 year old All Stars posted a 6-3 win over visiting Corbin to claim the championship. The victory puts Clay into the winners bracket of the District 4 Tournament, which starts Thursday at the Ramsey Ballpark. Timely defense by infielder Brandon Griffin and a gusty effort on the mound by Todd McDaniel, pushed Clay to the win. A key to the victory was Clay's fast start, jumping ahead 3-0 after a half inning.

Second baseman Tyler Young got Clay started with a lead off single to left field. After falling behind 0-2, catcher John Wilson worked Corbin's starter for a walk. Pitcher Todd McDaniel then hit a ball back toward the mound but it was misplayed, resulting in two runs and McDaniel going to second base. McDaniel quickly stole third base and two outs later, after a pop fly to the second baseman, caught the defense napping and slid across the plate, safely under the tag of the catcher.

Corbin threatened in bottom half of the first inning, with back-to-back one out singles. However, a fielder's choice to third baseman Josh England and a McDaniel strikeout, ended the rally. In Clay's second inning, Delbert Collins reached with a one out walk but the next two batters were retired in order. In Corbin's second inning, Coach Bill Griffin asked shortstop Brandon Griffin and third baseman England to switch positions. The first batter up in the inning, Ben House, hit a low liner near the third base bag that Griffin stretched out for making a spectacular diving backhand catch.

Trey Taylor followed with a double to left and scored on a single by Matthew Taylor. Following a strikeout, Taylor Jones reached on an error, allowing Taylor to score the second run of the inning. Third baseman then Travis Smith hit a hard line drive to third that was caught by Griffin to retire the side. In the top of the third, McDaniel laced a double to left center field and one out later, scored on a single by center fielder Kendall Turner. The next three batters (England, Alex Hensley and John Hooker) walked, forcing in Turner with the team's fifth run. England later scored on a wild pitch, giving Clay a 6-2 lead.

Corbin added an unearned run in the fourth inning when House reached after an error by the second baseman. The next two batters walked to load the bases. McDaniel then recorded a strikeout then caught a pop up for the second out. Smith then singled to center field, scoring House. However; Turner's throw to Wilson nailed Matthew Taylor at the plate for the third out. McDaniel retired Corbin in order in the fifth and retired three of the four batters in the sixth to preserve the win. For the game, McDaniel recorded eight strikeouts and walked two batters.


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