Sneads AAA All-Stars Battle Back, Finish State Tournament as Runner-Up
By: Shelia Mader
The Sneads AAA All-Stars proved throughout the Dixie Youth AAA State Tournament in Frostproof that determination can carry a team a long way. After an early setback forced them into the loser's bracket, the District Champions refused to quit, winning back-to-back elimination games before reaching the state championship contest. Although their remarkable run ended with an 11-6 loss to AP AAA All-Stars, Sneads left Frostproof with a runner-up finish and the respect of everyone who watched them compete. Playing more games than any team in the tournament, the young squad displayed grit, resilience and plenty of promise for the future.
Sneads opened tournament play Friday with an impressive 12-2 victory over Franklin County, taking control early with a four-run first inning before steadily adding to its lead. Eleven hits and aggressive baserunning powered the offense as Jaycion Locke went 2-for-3 with two runs scored, Colton Hill finished 2-for-3 with two RBIs, Braylon Bailey collected two hits and scored once, Coletin Johnson scored twice while driving in a run, Carson Myrick delivered two hits and three RBIs, and Jacoby Locke added a hit and RBI. Kaden Jones also singled and scored, while Cole Dickson drove home two runs. Sneads drew 10 walks and stole 13 bases in an outstanding all-around offensive performance. On the mound, Coletin Johnson started before Jacoby Locke worked 2⅔ scoreless innings with three strikeouts. Colton Hill closed the victory by striking out two batters over the final two-thirds of an inning.
The momentum came to a halt Saturday as Sneads ran into a hot-hitting AP AAA All-Stars squad, falling 10-0. AP plated four runs in the opening inning and never looked back. Sneads managed two hits, one each by Colton Hill and Jacoby Locke, while also drawing four walks. Jacoby Locke, Colton Hill and Coletin Johnson shared pitching duties as the team battled through a difficult afternoon against one of the tournament favorites. Rather than allowing the loss to define their weekend, the young Jackson County team regrouped and prepared for the long road through the elimination bracket.
Facing elimination Sunday, Sneads answered with one of its most complete performances, defeating Paxton 4-2. The District Champions collected nine hits, with Gunnar Adams leading the charge by going 2-for-2 with a double, triple and three RBIs. Jaycion Locke and Colton Hill each added two hits, while Jacoby Locke, Kylar Jenkins and Carson Myrick also contributed base hits. Sneads' pitching was outstanding as Coletin Johnson struck out five batters over 3⅓ innings without allowing a run before Colton Hill slammed the door with two perfect innings and five strikeouts to earn the win. The defense backed the pitchers with an error-free game as Sneads punched its ticket to another elimination contest.
Monday morning brought another must-win game against DeSoto, and once again Sneads answered the challenge. The Jackson County champions edged DeSoto 4-3 in a tense contest that wasn't decided until the final out. Braylon Bailey sparked the offense with a triple while scoring twice and driving in a run. Colton Hill doubled and scored, Gunnar Adams singled home a run, and Carson Myrick, Kaden Jones and Kylar Jenkins each contributed hits. Bailey also wreaked havoc on the bases with four stolen bases. Coletin Johnson delivered perhaps his finest pitching performance of the tournament, striking out nine over 4⅓ innings before Colton Hill finished the final five outs without allowing a run to secure the victory.
That win earned Sneads another shot at AP AAA All-Stars in the state championship game, and for a while it looked as though the District Champions might complete an unforgettable comeback. Sneads exploded for six runs in the opening inning and built a commanding 6-3 lead, putting AP on its heels early. Gunnar Adams paced the offense by going 3-for-3 with an RBI, while Jaycion Locke and Colton Hill each collected two hits. Jacoby Locke, Kylar Jenkins and Carson Myrick each drove in a run as Sneads finished with nine hits. AP gradually chipped away before taking control in the later innings, eventually claiming an 11-6 victory. Colton Hill started before Jacoby Locke, Cole Dickson and Braylon Bailey combined in relief as Sneads battled until the final out despite the long road through the loser's bracket.
While the championship trophy ultimately belonged to another team, Sneads' week in Frostproof showcased the heart that carried the District Champions to state. Forced to play five demanding games after dropping into the loser's bracket, these young athletes never quit competing. They battled through the Florida heat, won three elimination games, reached the state finals and demonstrated the kind of resilience that speaks volumes about the future of Sneads baseball. With talented players such as Braylon Bailey, Brett Goodwin, Carson Myrick, Cole Dickson, Coletin Johnson, Colton Hill, Gunnar Adams, Jacoby Locke, Jaycion Locke, Kaden Jones, Kylar Jenkins and Rylann Harrison returning with valuable state tournament experience, the future appears exceptionally bright for the Sneads AAA program.
