Sneads Ozone are District Champs – Headed to State

By: Shelia Mader

Sneads captured the Dixie Youth Ozone championship in impressive fashion, going 3-0 during the tournament and outscoring opponents 29-5 on the way to the title. The all-star roster consisted of Abram Varieur, Karter Sheard, Carter White, Jaxton Neel, Emory Goodson, Clayton Albritton, Mason Ragans, Jayce Locke, Maxton Baxley, Zachary Conrad, Ellis O’Connor and Corbin Gilbert.

At the plate, Sneads collected 17 hits across its three victories. Jaxton Neel led the offense with three hits and a team-high six RBIs, including a two-hit, four-RBI performance in a 20-2 rout of Altha and a clutch triple with two RBIs in the championship game. Karter Sheard added two hits and three RBIs, while Emory Goodson finished with a hit and three RBIs. Carter White, Clayton Albritton and Maxton Baxley each recorded two hits during the tournament, with Albritton driving in two runs and Baxley adding three RBIs. Abram Varieur, Mason Ragans, Jayce Locke, Zachary Conrad and Corbin Gilbert also contributed hits as Sneads received production throughout the lineup. The team showed patience at the plate as well, drawing eight walks in the title game alone.

On the mound, Sneads relied on a deep pitching staff. Varieur was dominant, throwing a complete-game championship victory while allowing just one earned run over six innings and striking out four. He also worked 3 1/3 scoreless innings in the opening-round win over LC Ozone, finishing the tournament with 9 1/3 innings pitched, only one earned run allowed and eight strikeouts. Jaxton Neel earned the win against Altha, striking out three in a scoreless inning, while Maxton Baxley followed with four strikeouts over two innings. Karter Sheard started the opener and worked 1 2/3 innings, and Goodson closed out the game with a scoreless inning and two strikeouts. As a staff, Sneads struck out 21 batters and surrendered just three earned runs in 18 innings during its unbeaten championship run.

Sneads will now turn their attention to a run at the state title that begins June 25 in Frostproof.