At Southern Bank Stadium, the Wilson City Little League All-Stars delivered a strong performance, dominating their opponents. On Sunday afternoon, Aug. 2, they overpowered Virginia state champion Vienna American Little League with a decisive 15-7 victory. The win propelled the North Carolina squad into the elimination round of the Southeast Region Ages 8-10 Tournament of State Champions.
Wilson wasted no time building their lead, scoring five runs in the first inning and then adding seven more in the third. Third baseman Preston Staton showcased his power, hitting his second three-run home run in as many days. The victory was further bolstered by eight errors from Vienna American, which allowed Wilson to capitalize on every opportunity.
The win came on the heels of a tighter contest. On Saturday, Wilson narrowly defeated Florida state champion Niceville-Valparaiso 4-3, securing their place in pool play. Now, they stand as one of just two unbeaten teams in the eight-team field, a position that puts them in a strong spot heading into the next phase of the tournament.
Path to the Bracket
Wilson is set to face South Carolina’s Northwood Little League at 9 a.m. Monday. That game will serve as their final match in pool play. Depending on the outcomes of other games, the winner of the matchup between Vienna American and Georgia’s American Little League could also gain entry into the elimination bracket.
The other undefeated team in the field, North Carolina’s Greenville Tar Heel, takes on West Virginia’s Elk District at 2:30 p.m. on Monday. A win for either team guarantees a spot in the elimination round. The bracket format allows up to three additional teams to join, meaning the competition could grow more intense with each passing day.
On the Field and at the Plate
Starting pitcher Gibson Lucas was instrumental in securing the early lead, throwing 2 1/3 innings without allowing any runs. Bennett Lee took over and held strong through the third inning before giving way to Finn Mariani. By the fourth inning, Wilson had already built a commanding 12-0 lead.
Manning Hare, who had been playing in the outfield, entered the game as a reliever in the sixth inning and closed the frame with a 1-2-3 inning. At the plate, Staton had a standout performance, going 3 for 3 and contributing a key RBI single that set off a surge in the third inning. With the bases loaded, Colt Pierce’s double brought in the seventh run of the inning, further widening the gap.
Vienna American attempted to rally in the fourth, using a combination of singles, walks, and a Wilson error to cut the lead to 12-6. However, Wilson responded by scoring once in the fifth and twice in the sixth to distance themselves further. The final run of the game came on an RBI single from Nash Salter, sealing the victory and putting Wilson in a strong position moving forward.
With their aggressive offense and sharp defense, Wilson City Little League All-Stars have positioned themselves as one of the top teams in the tournament. Their performance on Sunday not only sent a message to their competitors but also highlighted their potential to go all the way.
As the tournament continues through the next few days, all eyes will be on how Wilson and the other unbeaten teams, like Greenville Tar Heel, handle the pressure. The format offers exciting possibilities, with additional teams able to join the elimination bracket, and each game will be crucial in determining who advances to the championship.