Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

All-Stars Have Good Tournament

Gurdon's Little League All-Stars came close during the All -Star Tournament in Bismarck, but fell short of the title.

The idea to put a 9- 10-year-old all star team together came to a group of concerned parents on Thursday, June 26. This was two days before the first game was to be played.

The team made the trip to Bismarck Saturday, June 28, where they had a 2 p.m. game against Sheridan. The Gurdon crew had only one chance to practice together before their first outing.

Eric McCuiston took to the hill for Gurdon, facing 22 batters, fanning two and walking four. The Gurdon squad was holding its own, though trailing 2-0, when a severe thunderstorm hit, forcing a two-and-a-half hour delay. Because of the storm, the game was rescheduled for Sunday, June 29, at 2 o'clock.

Unfortunately, the Gurdon boys fell short of victory, as they succumbed 11-0 to Sheridan's team in a four inning contest.

The next game was Monday, June 30, with Hunter Johnson the ace hurler for Gurdon as the team faced Smackover.

Johnson went up against 24 batters, striking seven out and walking three.

Gurdon's offense showed up as the team posted a 24-4 shellacking of the Smackover boys.

Making the trip to Bismarck for the fourth day in a row, Gurdon's boys tangled with Hampton.

McCuiston was again on the hill for Gurdon where he faced 28, fanning five and walking three.

Again, the Gurdon bats were hot as the boys were able to down Hampton 8-4 and advance in the tourney.

A total of 12 teams started the tourney and by the end of play on July 1, only six remained.

The Gurdon battalion took on the home team, Bismarck, at 6 p.m. Wednesday, July 2.

Camron Kennedy pitched four frames for Gurdon, winging his way through 22 batters, where he struck six out and walked five. Taylor Morehead replaced Kennedy on the hill, going two innings, against seven men. He walked one and struck one out.

This proved to be Gurdon's final game, as, in the bottom of the sixth, Bismarck was able to push across a run to take a 6-5 win.

Many said Gurdon was the most improved team of the tournament, which is no surprise as the team was literally put together overnight and had no real practice time.

The team came together and played competitive baseball under the guidance of its coaches, Danny Deaton, Gary Deaton and manager Rick Smith.

The coaches and players said without help from the parents and cooperation of the boys this never would have happened.

They offered their thanks to Piggly Wiggly, Coach John Pace, Sandy Deaton, Tambra Smith and all the parents who supported these boys and the team.