GASTON, S.C. — A rush of excitement is in the air after the Gaston Coach Pitch Allstars took the state title this weekend. The team is making their way back to Lexington county as winners.
They’re a division two baseball league for kids 7-9 years old and they are the first team ever under 12 out of Gaston to win state and go on to the world series. You could say happiness is at an all time high.
“(We’re) excited and probably a little tired haha, it was a long weekend,” Chance Richbourg, assistant coach said.
Coaches for the team tell News 19 they had to overcome challenges to become champions. The team has made it through district and state tournaments.
“Definitely defense, a lot of repetition on ground balls and fly balls and it got to a point to where it didn’t matter where a baseball was hit. The kids responded real well and they knew what to do with the baseball,” Charles Broxton, pitching coach said.
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Now the next hurdle is raising enough money to take home the big trophy at the Dixie Youth Baseball World Series.
“It’s going to go to helping all the families with lodging and food for the players and water for the players, Gatorades and stuff like that,” Broxton said.
They need about $15,000 worth of community support.
“I couldn’t be prouder of this group of boys, not only because my son’s on the team, but every other kid that’s out there, they all want it equally and you can see that in practices and the games,” Richbourg said.
If they hit the mark, they’ll be able to hit the ball.
The team is hosting a fundraiser event this Saturday at Highway 55 Diner in Lexington on Saturday between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Click here if you want to donate.