The Jackson County American Legion Lodge 129 travel baseball team, the Grapplers, faced off against both tough competition and brutal weather conditions last weekend at the Booker Turner Memorial American Legion Wooden Bat Tournamen in Gallatin. Braving sweltering heat and intense humidity, the team, which is made up of players from Jackson, Clay and Overton counties, competed in three hard-fought games on Friday, June 20, and Saturday, June 22.
The tournament, which featured teams from Tennessee and Kentucky, tested the endurance of every player. The Grapplers kicked off their tournament on Friday with a commanding 12-0 victory against Madisonville, KY. The win was a strong start, showcasing the team’s potent offense and solid defense.Saturday’s schedule presented a new set of challenges. In their first game of the day, the Grapplers battled Lewis County, TN, to a 2-2 tie. The back-and-forth contest showcased the team’s resilience under pressure. However, the grueling conditions seemed to take their toll in the final game against Lawrenceburg, TN, where the Grapplers ultimately suffered a tough loss.Despite the weekend’s mixed results, the team left everything they had on the field.
The roster included Mason Poston, Easton Garner, Brody Walker, Ethan Westmoreland, Austin McFarland, Zolton Knight, Bryce Stafford, Hayden Stafford, Caleb Wimberly, Jaren Dill, Aiden Holland, Brycen Ballentine and Isaiah Smith.The team was led by a dedicated coaching staff: Eli Pope, Cooper Kinnaird, James Poston, Bradley Murphy and Dakota Beasley. Their guidance helped the players navigate the physically demanding tournament. While the Grapplers’ run in the tournament came to an end, their effort and determination in the face of such oppressive conditions were a testament to their dedication to the game.
