THOMASVILLE — The Thomasville YMCA All-Stars are GRPA state champions. The Butler-Mason YMCA hosted the double-elimination Georgia Recreation and Park Association 10U live arm State Championship tournament. Hosting YMCA teams out of Dalton, Glynn County, Savannah, Gainesville, Carroll County and Tift County, Thomasville went undefeated in the tournament as they stomped the competition.
It began with game one as they took down Carroll County. Though they allowed 10 runs, big bats beat poor defense as Thomasville put up 16 runs on their way to a 16-10 victory. Dalton awaited Thomasville in game two, and the All-Stars put on a show. They held Dalton scoreless and sent them to the losers bracket in a 6-0 win.
Then came the semifinals where Thomasville took on Glynn County. Glynn was inarguably one of the best teams in the tournament, having beaten Gainesville 15-0 in the first round and taking down a tough Tift County team 4-3. Thomasville prevailed in the third game of their tournament, 9-5 over Glynn. But, the boys from Glynn bounced back and sent Dalton packing to set up a rematch with Thomasville in the championship game.
Thomasville got off to a hot start, putting up two runs by the end of the second. They put up four more on some immaculate hitting to build a 6-0 lead. Their infield defense was next to flawless with solid fielding and rare miscues. Thomasville held a frustrated Glynn team to just one run, only allowing an inside the park home run on a series of throws in the fourth.
Thomasville’s pitching was dominant, often allowing no more than two hits in an inning. All of their fantastic play and high spirits resulted in a final score of 6-1 and the Thomasville YMCA All-Stars lifting the state championship trophy.