Darlington Middle School teams win Raw Town Rumble
By Will Isgett, Contributing Writer
After losing their first games of the day the Darlington Middle School baseball and softball teams came through the losers bracket to win the first ever Raw Town Rumble in at Arrowhead Park in Cheraw on March 21.
The boys lost their first game 6-5 to New Heights Middle School and went onto beat Wallace 2-1, Chesterfield-Ruby 3-1, Anson N.C. 3-2, New Heights 8-0 and in the championship round downed McBee 2-1 and 4-1.
The girls lost their first game to Chesterfield Ruby 10-3 and marched their way through the losers bracket and beat Long 13-0 in the championship game.
Assistant coach Clark Epps said after losing the first game the team never gave up.
“After we lost the first game the girls had the attitude that they weren’t gonna lose,” Epps said. “We came together and never gave up.”
Cleve Keith, head coach of the middle school boys, was very please with the effort the boys gave in the tournament.
“It was tough, but a great experience,” Keith said. “We fought hard and showed heart.”
The middle school baseball program has been in existence for eight years and is a feeder program for the Darlington High School junior varsity and varsity baseball program.
Head coach of the middle school softball team is Chenethia Brown and assisted by Cellina and Clark Epps.
Team members include Gracie Epps. Chauncey Epps, Madison Dubose, Katy Sivula, Whitney Gibson, Jordan Odom, Ashlee Boykin, Alicia Taylor, Kierston Stone, Imaia Flynn, Logan Reynolds, Harley Gibson and Brittany Blackman.
The middle school baseball team is comprised of Garrett Knight, Hunter Page, Brian Robinson, Gage Weatherford, Jake Blackmon, Malike Cooper, Chase Weatherford, Ja’Vion James, Chase Hall, Silas Barr, Nick Perry, Mike Gavins, Mike Dixon, Quay Gandy, Maine Gibson and Cole Blackman.
Assistant coaches are Michael Gavins and Byron Bristow.
Both teams play their games at the Blue Street baseball and softball fields and will play five away games before hosting Chesterfield-Ruby on April 16.
Softball Re-Cap: Ashlee Boykin-2 home runs (out the park) Harley Gibson- catcher for ALL 7 games! Katy Sivula- pitcher for 4 games Gracie Epps- pitcher for 2 games and Championship game