Published on Sunday, June 30, 2007
Hoke Baseball Comeback Falls Short
Youth team battles back to make it close
by Tom McKinney
After dropping behind by seven runs to West Robeson, the Hoke Dixie AAA youth baseball team made a remarkable and spirited comeback before falling short by a score of 11-8.
The game was an emotional roller-coaster ride for the families and fans of the players, ages 9-10, with the most dramatic moment for Hoke fans occurring when Austin Spencer hit a home run with Jonathon Pickler on first base to tie the game at 8 runs apiece.
Hoke used three talented pitchers, Dan Barrington, Austin Spencer, and Jordan Virgil, while Brook Solheim was impressive at catcher, arguable the toughest position to play on the entire field.
Though Hoke was eliminated from the tournament with the loss, spirits were high at Burlington Park after witnessing the dramatic come-from-behind effort by the determined young ball players.
