By By Scott Cooper- Sports reporter
By Scott Cooper
Sports reporter
Brewton's 11-12-year-old All-Stars had a successful beginning in the District 5 Little League tournament being held at the YMCA Sports Park in Brewton.
Getting an impressive performance from starting pitcher Sam Sharpe and playing virtually error-free baseball, the Brewton All-Stars advanced to the winner's bracket with Sunday's 4-3 opening-round win over Andalusia.
After a rough beginning that saw Andalusia score two top of the first inning runs on three hits, Brewton came to bat in the bottom of the first and promptly tied the game.
Landon Sowell began the effort with a leadoff bunt before moving to second base on an Andalusia error. Corey Williams' fielder's choice RBI allowed Sowell to score, and then Houston Simmons came through with an RBI single that tied the game, 2-2. The opposing pitchers dominated the action from the second through fourth innings. Although the Brewton batters were experiencing a tough time solving Andalusia's starting pitcher, Brewton's Sharpe settled into a groove while becoming almost untouchable over the next several innings.
After Sharpe retired Andalusia in order in the top of the fifth, the Brewton All-Stars took advantage of their opponent's errors to manufacture two more bottom-of-the-inning runs that proved to be the difference in the game.
Cortez Banks got the rally going by drawing a walk. A Taylor Berry sacrifice bunt allowed Cortez to advance before an Andalusia throwing error was responsible for bringing him home. Another Andalusia fielding error later in the inning accounted for an additional run and a 4-2 Brewton advantage.
With one last chance at the plate, Andalusia put a scare into Brewton before the door was closed on the comeback attempt. Following a groundout, an Andalusia batter lashed a triple before scoring on a passed ball.
Simmons then took his place on the mound in relief and retired the final two batters. After securing the second out on a fly ball, Simmons put an exclamation point on the 4-3 victory by striking-out the next batter he faced.
Sharpe earned the win for Brewton, tossing a five-hitter while striking-out eight over 5 1/3 innings.
Simmons got credit for a save as he allowed no hits and struck-out one in 2/3 of an inning.
Offensive leaders for Brewton were Simmons, 1-for-3 with one RBI; Corey Williams, 1-for-3 with one RBI and Landon Sowell, 1-for-3.