11U Baseball Team Wins State Title in Walk-Off Rally

The Small Town Giants proved that big dreams don't need big cities when they claimed Mississippi's Grand Slam Sports Class A State Championship in early June.

The Vicksburg-based 11U baseball team faced an uphill climb after dropping their first two games in the 12-team tournament held in Starkville. But instead of folding, these young players rallied together and won five consecutive games to take home the title.

The championship game against the Jackson Jax came down to the final inning. With runners on base in the bottom of the fifth, William Kidder stepped to the plate and delivered an RBI single that brought teammate Walt Karel racing home with the winning run in a 5-4 victory.

Kidder finished the title game with a perfect 3-for-3 performance, racking up two RBIs and a run scored. Dawson Jones also drove in two runs, while Robert Johnson added two hits and crossed the plate once.

The tournament showcased standout performances across the roster. Karel led the team by hitting .500 over seven games, collecting 11 hits in 22 at-bats while scoring 11 runs and driving in six more.

Johnson dominated on the mound too, striking out nine batters and throwing four hitless innings in a 7-3 victory over the Eupora Aces. At the plate throughout the tournament, he went 10-for-18 with four RBIs and eight runs scored.

R.J. Turcotte had his own breakout moment, going 3-for-3 with five RBIs in a crucial 10-7 win over the Central Mississippi Stingers.

Why This Inspires

This team of 10 kids and their four coaches showed what happens when you refuse to quit after a rough start. They could have packed it in after losing twice right out of the gate, but instead they leaned on each other and fought their way back one game at a time.

The Small Town Giants' roster includes Wyatt Belk, Cullen Bounds, Robert Johnson, Dawson Jones, Walt Karel, William Kidder, Aden Patterson, Benjamin Ponder, R.J. Turcotte, and J.W. Womble. The coaching staff of Burt Turcotte, Abe Kidder, Chad Bounds, and Nathan Jones guided them through every step, with organizational leadership from Shandell Lockridge, Sr.

For these young athletes from Vicksburg, the championship trophy represents more than just a title—it's proof that heart and teamwork can overcome any early setback.