By BY BRUCE HIXON – SPORTS EDITOR
Their regular season and City Series Tournament ended before Memorial Day. They have played seven innings of competitive ball since.
While those seven innings got the Brewton Little League Age 10-11 All-Stars to the state tournament, the question is now whether or not those seven innings is enough to prepare Brewton for the state tournament.
The answer will start to be revealed Saturday when Brewton opens up state tournament play at Jackson where it faces Russellville at 5:30 p.m.
If Brewton wins its first-round game, it will advance to the second round where it will take on Jackson, which drew a first-round bye, Sunday at 5:30 p.m. If Brewton loses to Russellville, it will fall into the elimination bracket where it will play Monday at 5:30 p.m.
Brewton earned its state berth when it won the District 5 Tournament championship two weeks ago on its home turf. Brewton ambushed Andalusia 11-1 in the opening round then ripped Covington County 12-1 for the title. Both of those games lasted just three and a half innings.
Griffin used the same lineup during both of his team's district games. That lineup of (1. Rob Stokes; 2. Dominique Jackson; 3. Caden Lodge; 4. Darby Black; 5. Taylor Cordell; 6. Zac Griffin; 7. Trey Salter; 8. Paxton Reiss; 9. Kieon Smith) racked up 23 hits in addition to its 23 runs scored.
The top of the lineup was especially effective for Brewton in those two games. Stokes was four-for-six with a pair of stolen bases from his leadoff spot, while Jackson was a perfect six-for-six with three triples. Lodge was three-for-six, while Black was three-for-five with a walk.
Brewton's pitching allowed just four hits and two runs scored in those two games. Stokes pitched a complete game two-hitter against Andalusia. Salter and Jackson teamed up for a two-hitter in the other game.
Griffin said defense is probably the least affected by the layoff.
Griffin says the competition at state is a mystery.