MYRTLE BEACH, SC (WBTW) – Coastal Carolina University’s baseball team made history this summer by winning the college baseball World Series for the first time in the school’s history.
Now another team from the Grand Strand could join them as national champs.
Myrtle Beach’s 12-and-under all-star baseball team claimed the Dixie Youth league baseball state title and heads to Laurel, Mississippi this week to compete for the leagues world series.
It’s the first time Myrtle Beach has claimed a state title in the 12 and under league and they were recently honored by city council for their accomplishment.
They will face teams from throughout the southeast in the double-elimination tournament which begins August 6th.
The team went undefeated in the state tournament relying on home runs to get the job done.
The boys say they followed Coastal Carolina on its journey to the college world series and that motivated them to win throughout their season.
“Coastal Carolina, when they won we were there to support them the whole way. We were jumping out of cars in regionals, we were sitting in the rain waiting for the game to start, and when they won we were all jumping out of cars; and we want to give Myrtle Beach two national championships in one year,” said Will Jackson, a shortstop and pitcher on the team.
Former major league world series champ, Reggie Sanders, recently went to a practise to address the team.
He spoke with players on the importance of team work and gave them a few pointers on the diamond.
Unlike some high school or college teams there isn’t a large budget that pays for travel; so in another show of support, Sanders also pledged $500 to help cover the costs.
“I’m starting this $500 initiative for businesses around the community to step up with me. Lets do this, I’m going to start out with $500 so businesses can say I’m with Reggie, I’m going to give $500 let’s make this thing happen, so that’s why I’m here as well,” said Sanders.
The team heads to Mississippi on Thursday.
