BY CLIFF SMELLEY
A two-run homer by Chase Kirk and an RBI double by Hunter Thomas helped the Melrose 14U All-Stars baseball team defeat Fort Caroline 4-2 and win the state championship on June 29 in New Smyrna Beach.
Melrose, which went 3-0 in the tournament, advances to the Southeast Region Tournament, which will be played July 15-20 in Tallahassee.
The run to the state title began with Cason Burton and Jackson Broome each driving in three runs in an 18-1 win over Sanford on June 26.
Melrose batters had three extra-base hits and seven overall as part of a 12-run first inning. Burton walked, stole second and moved to third on a balk before scoring on a Kirk single. Brayden Martin then hit an RBI double, followed by an RBI groundout by Thomas. A Kase Sanders single, an Aden Tyre walk and a Gavin Eubanks single loaded the bases. Collin Phillips walked to force a run in before Broome and Burton each drove in two runs — Broome off a single and Burton off a double.
The inning continued with Burton scoring on a wild pitch. After Kirk walked, Martin hit an RBI double. Thomas then ended the inning’s scoring with an RBI off a sacrifice fly.
Melrose extended its lead to 16-0 in the second. Eubanks hit a single, while Phillips was hit by a pitch. Broome drove in one run on a ground out, followed by Burton driving in the second on a double. After Burton scored on a wild pitch, Kirk singled, oved to second on a wild pitch and stole third before scoring on a passed ball.
The team’s final two runs occurred in the third. Tyre and Eubanks both singled and scored on passed balls.
Martin finished with two RBI, while Kirk and Phillips each had one.
Eubanks batted 3 for 3, while Kirk went 2 for 2.
Burton and Sanders each went 2 for 3.
Eubanks pitched three innings, giving up one run and one hit, while striking out five.
Phillips threw the final inning, allowing one hit and striking out two.
Before Melrose and Fort Caroline met in the championship round, the two teams played each other on June 28, with Melrose winning 8-2.
Melrose scored two runs in the first. After Burton was hit by a pitch, a Kirk single and a Thomas walk loaded the bases. Sanders and Tyre both drew walks to force runs in.
Kirk made it a 3-0 game in the third when he doubled, advanced to third on a wild pitch and scored on an error.
A five-run fourth saw Melrose load the bases on an Evan Screen walk and singles by Phillips and Broome. Screen scored on a wild pitch. After Burton walked to load the bases again, Kirk and Martin hit back-to-back singles, with Kirk’s hit scoring one run and Martin’s hit scoring two. Kirk scored his team’s final run as Martin was being put out on a steal attempt.
Fort Caroline didn’t score until the seventh inning.
Martin finished with two RBI, while Kirk, Sanders and Tyre each had one.
Kirk batted 3 for 3.
Martin pitched 2.1 innings, giving up no runs and one hit, while striking out three.
Eubanks threw 3.2 innings, allowing no runs and no hits, while striking out five.
Phillips pitched the final inning, giving up two runs (one earned) and one hit.
Fort Caroline bounced back from the loss, defeating Sanford 15-5 and setting up the June 29 rematch with Melrose that ended with Melrose winning 4-2.
Each team scored two runs in the first. Fort Caroline took advantage of a walk and two singles, while Melrose got a homer from Kirk that also scored Burton, who was hit by a pitch.
Melrose took the lead in the third. Kirk doubled, moved to third on an error and scored on another error. A Thomas double scored Martin, who walked.
Starting pitcher Eubanks, who went six innings, allowed only one base runner in the second, third and fourth innings. Fort Caroline did hit two singles in the fifth, but Eubanks struck out two batters, while a ground out to third baseman Phillips ended the inning.
Fort Caroline never got anyone else on base.
Eubanks struck out nine batters, allowing five hits.
Martin pitched the final inning, giving up no hits.
Kirk and Thomas each batted 2 for 3.
