Lyons 14U Boys Take Title
The Lyons Recreation Department 14U boys are headed to state. Competing in the Georgia Recreation and Parks Association (GRPA) District 1 Tournament last week in Emanuel County, the Lyons squad fought through a tense opener, cruised through the semifinals, and pitched a late-inning shutout to take first place in the June 6-10 event.
LRD vs. Emanuel
Following a first-round bye, Lyons opened tournament play against the host team, Emanuel County, in what turned out to be a grueling test. Lyons jumped out to a quick 5-0 advantage in the top of the first inning, but Emanuel slowly chipped away.
The hosts plated two runs in the third and two more in the fourth to cut the deficit to 5-4, eventually tying the game at 5-5 in the bottom of the sixth to force extra innings. Rather than folding as the momentum shifted, Lyons managed to push a crucial run across in the top of the seventh to reclaim a 6-5 lead. The LRD defense then held firm in the bottom of the frame to secure the hard-fought victory.
LRD vs. Effingham That opening win moved Lyons into the winners' bracket semifinals against Effingham County, where the bats left no room for suspense. Lyons exploded for 13 runs in the top of the first inning to take immediate control of the game. Effingham managed to get a pair of runs on the board in the second, but Lyons answered with two continued from page
runs in the third and two more in the fourth to polish off a dominant 17-2 win and advance to the finals.
LRD vs. Effingham Championship Effingham fought their way back through the losers' bracket to set up a rematch with Lyons for the Championship. Unlike their previous high-scoring matchup, the title game was a tense, scoreless battle through the first four innings. Lyons finally broke the deadlock in the bottom of the fifth, pushing a single run across for a 1-0 advantage. Adding some much-needed insurance, Lyons plated two more in the sixth and then held Effingham scoreless in the seventh, taking a 3-0 victory to claim the hardware.
With the District 1 title secured, the Lyons boys now set their sights on Statesboro, where they will open play in the State Tournament beginning next Tuesday.
