Ross Stevens delivers in a shutout win on Tuesday evening.
The North Carolina (Dunn) Majors (12-and-under) baseball All-Stars downed Virginia 3-0 in an elimination game Tuesday in the Dixie World Series in Lumberton.
It was the second straight shutout for the local All-Stars, who ousted Mississippi, 4-0, on Monday.
The N.C. team is scheduled to play South Carolina tonight (Wednesday, August 8) at 8 p.m.
Ross Stevens threw six and one-third innings on Tuesday.
“We had to take him out after hitting his pitching max of 85 (pitches),” said N.C. coach Charlie Stevens.
Stevens allowed two hits while striking out 13 with one walk. The last 11 outs Stevens recorded came on strikeouts.
“One of the best games I’ve seen him throw,” said coach Stevens.
Stevens began pitching two years ago.
“I’m very proud as a coach and a father,” Stevens said. “The last two games we have had our best outings from our starting pitchers. Anthony Jones pitched a one-hitter with eight strikeouts the night before.”
North Carolina did not have a hit until the fourth inning when Stevens got a base hit up the middle. With two outs and Stevens on first, Jones hit a towering shot to left that hit off the fence. The height of the ball hanging up allowed Stevens, running on contact, to score from first.
In the sixth with a 1-0 lead, Jamari Thompson hit one off the fence for a long single. Hunter Tyndall singled up the middle, moving Jamari to second. Stevens hit into a fielder’s choice and moved Jamari to third. Virginia internationally walked Jones to load the bases. Jalen Evans ripped a single to left and scored Jamari from third. Stevens scored the final run of the game on a wild pitch.
Getting hits for North Carolina on Tuesday were Hunter Tyndall, Stevens, Jones, Evans and Thompson.
“Anthony Jones pitched the whole game until the last out,” said coach Stevens of Monday’s matchup. “Due to pitch counts, we had to put Ross Stevens in for one out.”
Jones allowed one hit (a drag bunt) in the fourth inning.
Wyatt Lucas started North Carolina off in the bottom of the first by reaching base on a bunt hit. He stole second and scored on a double by Stevens. On a fake steal, the throw back to second got away and Stevens scored.
Jones hit a home run in the fourth and Evans tripled. Evans came home on a wild pitch.
Jones finished with two hits on Monday. Getting one hit each were Lucas, Stevens, Evans, Gabe Dapuyen, Braxton Davis and Jarrett Cooper.
The North Carolina (Dunn) Majors (12-and-under) baseball All-Stars are pictured with Dixie Youth officials at the World Series in Lumberton.
