From staff reports
All it took was some motivational words from head coach Jonathan Smith to awaken Trussville’s 6U American League roster.
With a 15-8 score shining from the scoreboard, Smith spoke to his team prior to its third plate appearance. His speech ended with eight words: “This is Trussville, and we never give up.”
Smith’s message landed, as the Huskies went on a 9-1 run to claim the championship game of the American League Metro Tournament over Oak Mountain. The 17-16 win avenged an earlier loss to Oak Mountain.
Trussville was forced to win five consecutive games in three days to get the tournament crown. A 16-13 win over Oak Mountain last Monday forced a winner-take- all contest on Tuesday.
The Huskies made their championship-clinching push in the fourth inning of the final game. Facing a 16-15 deficit, Maddox Turner doubled to center. Turner then evened the score off a Jake Kendrick two-bagger.
Tripp Austin delivered the game-winning RBI with a slap to the fence.
Here is the Trussville 6U American League roster: Jacob Smith, Bryson Clements, Peyton McLendon, Jake Kendrick, Maddox Turner, Hudson Yeager, Carson White, Noah Jordan, Braxton Gossett, Tripp Austin and Charlie McManus.
The coaching staff: Jonathan Smith, Aaron Austin, Nathan Jordan, Adam Austin and Blake Turner.
Coach Smith can now be found with the letters “HT” shaved to the back of his head. He made his team a deal and they delivered.