Coming off its fourth tournament win of the season, the Patriots, a local U13 traveling baseball team, won the Central state qualifier tournament held in High Point June 16 through June 18.
In doing so, the local contingent earned the right to participate in the N.C. State Finals that started in Greensboro Friday. It is slated to end today.
The Patriots reached the state finals in fine fashion, going 4-0 in the qualifying tournament, including an 8-6 win over the previously undefeated Thomasville Dodgers in the championship game.
"This was a big tournament for our team," said coach Bryan Moore. "It's the first time we've gone undefeated through an entire weekend."
Moore also indicated that he hoped the quality of the Patriots' play in the qualifier would continue in the state finals.
In the qualifying tournament, the Patriots' bats sizzled, averaging a season-high .368 as a team in the four games.
The squad pounded out 41 hits in all, with Evan Roberts leading the way, going seven for 12 at the plate. Roberts efforts included two doubles and a triple.
But he wasn't alone in having a hot bat.
Patrick Moore went four for 10, including two doubles, while Tyler Wallace and Zach Christian each went four for 10. Jonathan Henley went five for 13 at the plate, and Jacob Thomas added a three for eight effort.
As hot as the Patriots' bats were, the pitching was just as superb.
Opponents were held to a .195 team batting average with the rotation of Henley, Christian, Roberts and Wallace allowing only 11 runs in 29 innings, while striking out 27 batters.
