Graceville Claims AAA District Title in Two-Game Sweep of Cottondale
By: Shelia Mader
The Jackson County AAA All-Star District Championship featured a pair of high-scoring battles between county rivals Graceville and Cottondale, with Graceville ultimately capturing the title by sweeping the best-of-three series in two games. While Graceville emerged as champion, both teams showcased explosive offenses, aggressive baserunning and resilience throughout the series.
Game 1 on June 4 produced a wild offensive showdown as Graceville rallied for an 18-16 victory. Cottondale collected eight hits and scored in every inning but the second, highlighted by extra-base hits from Khelton McClain, Finn Trimble, Gage Cosby, Graylin Simmons and Kain Johnson. McClain and Johnson each tripled while Simmons, Trimble and Cosby added doubles. Gage Cosby led the Cottondale offense with two hits, two runs scored and two RBIs, while McClain finished 2-for-4 with two runs scored. Aiden Tyus crossed the plate three times and Beau Harrell and Kaaya Adams each scored twice. Cottondale also continued its aggressive style on the bases, stealing 31 bases during the game, led by Tyus with seven and Cosby with six.
Graceville answered with timely hitting and patience at the plate, drawing 18 walks while scoring 18 runs on just four hits. Briar Carswell scored three runs and drove in one, while Jace Greer scored twice and added an RBI. Amari Laster drove in two runs, and Ashton Bowden, Ayden Connor and Braxton Culbreath each contributed an RBI. Liam Watson delivered the club's biggest hit with a triple. Graceville's speed game proved equally important, swiping 35 bases. Ashton Bowden and Axton Forsyth led the way with six steals each, while Carswell added four and Zay Moore four more. Despite allowing 16 runs, Graceville took advantage of walks and baserunning opportunities to score 12 times in the bottom of the fifth inning and secure the comeback victory.
One day later, the teams met again with the championship on the line, and Graceville completed the sweep with an 11-9 win. Cottondale jumped out early, scoring four runs in the first inning and carrying a 9-5 lead after three innings. McClain scored twice and collected a hit, while Camdon Meadows, Beau Harrell, Kain Johnson, Kaaya Adams and Conner Eagerton each drove in a run. Cottondale managed three hits in the contest, with McClain, Finn Trimble and Meadows recording one each. The team once again put pressure on the defense with 17 stolen bases, led by Eagerton's four and McClain's four.
Graceville steadily chipped away before erupting for six runs in the third inning to take control. Tiashon Everett powered the offense, going 2-for-2 with a home run, two RBIs and three runs scored. Amari Laster added two hits, including a double, and drove in a run, while Everett, Laster, Briar Carswell and Jace Greer all contributed extra-base hits. Graceville finished with six hits and 11 runs while drawing 11 walks. The team's aggressive baserunning continued to be a difference-maker, as Ayden Connor and Zay Moore each stole five bases and Everett added three more.
On the mound in Game 2, Everett delivered the decisive performance for Graceville. After Liam Watson and Carswell combined to allow eight runs in the first three innings, Everett entered and shut down Cottondale's offense over the final three frames, allowing just one run while striking out nine batters to earn the win. Cottondale's pitching staff was led by Finn Trimble, who struck out eight in 2.2 innings of relief, while Kaaya Adams was charged with the loss despite recording the final out.
Graceville finished the series with a 2-0 sweep and the AAA District Championship, but both Jackson County teams demonstrated the offensive firepower and speed that made them two of the area's strongest all-star squads. Everett, Carswell, Laster, Greer and Watson paced Graceville throughout the championship run, while McClain, Trimble, Cosby, Johnson and Tyus turned in standout performances for Cottondale during a competitive series between familiar county rivals.
The 2026 District Championship marks the first one in 10 years since Graceville officially won an All-Stars District Championship. The coaches and the team are extremely excited to represent their town beginning June 25 in Frostproof, Florida. Any business or individual wishing to contribute to offset expenses of travel, lodging, food, and drink may contact Coach Laster at (850)703-5546. The team is also conducting raffles and auctions. You may pay with cash or checks payable to Graceville Baseball 10U.
