[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 129 (Friday, August 9, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E811]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   BLYTHEWOOD ALL-STARS NAMED 2024 SOUTH CAROLINA AA STATE CHAMPIONS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JOE WILSON

                           of south carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, August 9, 2024

  Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to recognize 
the South Carolina Blythewood Coach Pitch All-Stars baseball team for 
their win of the 2024 South Carolina AA State Championship in 
Walterboro, South Carolina. The outstanding team of twelve, 7- to 8-
year-old boys, are now heading to Orangeburg to represent South 
Carolina in the Diamond Youth Baseball World Series where they will 
compete against all-star teams from eleven states across the Southeast. 
On behalf of all South Carolinians, I would like to congratulate the 
Blythewood All-Stars on this impressive achievement and wish them the 
best of luck as they represent Team SC in the World Series.
  The Blythewood All-Stars team includes players, Wylie Branham, Robert 
``Chandler'' Douglass, Colton Hack, Adam ``Graceson'' Holland, Jameson 
Hubbard, Brody Hughes, Maddox Olver, Reed Peake, Chandler Perry, Declan 
Schultz, Trenton Wilburn and coaches, Dustin Branham, Ryan Douglass, 
Matt Hubbard, and Matt Hughes.
  Their journey began with these twelve young gentlemen being selected 
out of ninety-five ball players further divided amongst twelve teams in 
the Blythewood Youth Baseball Softball League. The team has been 
practicing day in and day out from the time the team was formed up 
until they went to the South Carolina Diamond Youth Baseball District 4 
Tournament in early June. There they went on to score a total of 38 
runs, allowing only 7 runs against them, defeating the Midland Coach 
Pitch All-Stars, Lexington National All-Stars, and Dentsville 8U All-
Stars, becoming the District 4 champions.
  After a well-deserved break, they resumed practice and made the trek 
to Walterboro, where they played teams from Clinton and Hartsville, 
outscoring their opponents 27-3 the first day of tournament play. These 
wins advanced Blythewood through a bye the following day, where they 
picked right back up the next day playing Hilton Head and Clinton 
again, outscoring opponents 15-9. With these wins, Blythewood 
automatically advanced into the championship bracket.
  However, they fell short in a hard-fought battle with Hilton Head in 
a historical game that lasted 15 innings, with a score of 3-4. 
Although, since it was a double-elimination tournament, they were not 
out, they would face Hilton Head again for a winner-takes-all-game. In 
true Blythewood fashion, the team fought back hard, took an early lead 
in the game, and kept the lead to beat Hilton Head 4-2, to become the 
2024 South Carolina AA State Champions.
  This victory of the Blythewood All-Stars Team is well-deserved, and I 
congratulate the team, coaches, families, and community for all their 
hard work and support, making the kids' dreams come true.

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