This has been a very successful year for Glennville Recreation's baseball and softball program. Some of the accolades include two Lyons Tournament Champions (8U Boys and 14U Boys) and five District Champions (8U Girls, 8U Boys, 10U Boys, 12U Girls, and 12U Boys). Among all of these accomplishments, one team achieved the pinnacle of youth athletic success. Glennville 8U girls are Georgia Recreation and Parks Association (GRPA) State Champions.
After falling short in a very competitive game, 20-19, in the Lyons Tournament Championship to Long County, the two teams met again to play for the GRPA Class C State Championship. Both Glennville and Long County established themselves as the most dominant teams in the area on the journey to the title game. Glennville was undefeated throughout the tournament. Glennville received a 1st round bye and was scheduled to play Long County after Long defeated Hawkinsville, 25-5. Glennville went on to beat Long County, 11-5, in their first matchup.
Glennville secured a championship game berth after winning against Brantley County, 19-7. Long County battled their way through the losing bracket in this double elimination tournament to earn another shot against the Glennville girls for the highest stakes. Long County would have to beat Glennville twice to win the tournament.
The talented Long County team came to this championship game eager to send a message. They hit the ball extremely well and were in control for the majority of the game. Glennville entered the last inning of the game with a nine-run deficit. They would need nine runs to force extra innings or 10 to win it all. Charli Grace Joyner proved not to be shaken by the score, as she led off the inning with an inside the park home run. With their backs against the wall, Glennville stayed alive, hitting through the whole line-up.
The climax to their story culminated with two outs, runners on 2nd and 3rd base, losing by a score of 16-15. Long County chose to intentionally walk Collins Kirkland to load the bases and create a force out situation at any base.
The next batter up to the plate was Blythe Dutton. As Blythe Dutton dug into the box, she looked confident as she prepared to take on what was undoubtedly the highest pressure situation she's had to endure in her young athletic career.
You could feel the tension in the air as every fan on both sides were on the edge of their seat as the first pitch was fed through the machine. Strike 1 was called as Blythe swung at the 1st pitch.
A moment passes as the defense and Blythe reset.
On the 2nd pitch of the at bat, Blythe takes a big swing and connects with the pitch, sending the ball over the shortstop’s head and landing in shallow left field. With the runners sprinting upon contact, the tying and winning runs scored easily to secure the State Championship in what was one of the most exciting recreation games in recent memory.
"The growth in this group of girls from season start to season end is immeasurable. Their hitting and defense grew leaps and bounds in a span of several weeks. Their development is attributed to showing up ready to work, open to trying new positions without complaint, even in 100-degree heat. The effort and time these girls put in at such a young age is incredible and says a lot about where the future will take them. They have no quit in them, which was on display as they rallied back from a ten-run deficit to win the state championship. Proud is not a big enough word to describe how I feel about these girls, but I am so proud of them, their effort, their teamwork, friendships, and their tenacity!" said Glennville 8U softball Head Coach Justin Kirkland. Other coaches are Pat Gibbs, Kyle Andre, and Luke Joyner.
