Emanuel County brings home two softball State Championships: Sends 8 Teams to State Tournaments for Second Year Running

Is it just a winning streak, or is it a dynasty? The answer, well… That depends on who you ask.

If you’re talking to any member of Emanuel County’s 14U girls live pitch softball team, they’ll probably tell you it is very much the start of a legacy. They won their third straight state championship last week, completing a remarkable three-peat in some of Georgia Recreation and Parks Association (GRPA)’s toughest brackets in Class A/B.

Most of this year’s state tournaments took place over three days (Tuesday, June 24, through Thursday, June 26) with several divisions sharing host sites. For the second summer in a row, Emanuel County was represented in all brackets. The 8U boys and 8U girls wheel pitch teams both competed at Magnolia Sports Complex in Moultrie–Colquitt County while Lyons Recreation Department hosted 10U girls and 10U boys wheel pitch. Bulloch County hosted the 12U boys live pitch division at Mill Creek Regional Par, Effingham County’s Clarence E. Morgan Complex served as the venue for the 14U boys live pitch tournament, and Vidalia Recreation Department’s Ed Smith Complex hosted the 14U girls live pitch teams. The 12U girls live pitch tournament ran an extra day, concluding Friday, June 27, at Toombs County High School, where they clinched its championship.

This core group of girls began their run of titles with the 10U state championship in 2023, followed by the 12U state title last summer, and now have capped their ascent with this year’s 14U crown.

14U Girls Live Pitch

Over the course of the 2025 state tournament held in Vidalia last week, the 14U team delivered an undefeated performance. As the District 1 champion coming into the tournament, they opened with a decisive 20–0 victory over Liberty County, then shut out Lyons 12–0 in the winner’s bracket semifinal before overwhelming Moultrie-Colquitt 14–2 to advance to the final. In the championship game, Emanuel County overcame Lyons in a close game, 7–6, capping a dominant tournament in which they outscored opponents 53–8.

Players include: Abby Lewis, Amelia Taylor, Anna Grace Scarborough, Ansley Frye, Bristol Dorsey, Colbie Radford, Jennifer Hernandez, Kaley Flowers, Kate Yeomans, Kaybreigh Hostilo, Mylie Beneteau, and Rayleigh Faircloth. Coaches are: Jeremy Faircloth, Roy Beneteau, Russ Yeomans, and Zac Frye.

“I’m so proud of this remarkable group of girls. They’ve played together for years, and you can see that bond in how they perform. The bats were hot all week, our defense was outstanding, and they never lost any energy, even when it was 110 degrees on that field. Georgia has some of the best softball talent anywhere, and sometimes people forget that rec ball can be just as competitive and just as special as travel or high school ball. These girls are proof of that,” Coach Faircloth said. “I want to thank the Emanuel County Recreation Department for making this kind of experience possible, our county commissioners for supporting the program, all the parents and fans who came along for the ride, and, most of all, the players for the heart they put into this season. Three state championships in a row doesn’t happen every day. I hope we made everybody proud, and I’d encourage folks to come watch these girls (and all our local teams) next year. Some of them still have another season to suit up, and I can promise you it’s worth coming out to see.”

But, the success of the 14U girls is just one part of a much larger story for Emanuel County Recreation Department’s diamond sports programs this summer.

12U Girls Live Pitch

The 12U girls team followed in the footsteps of their older counterparts, capturing their own state championship just one day after the 14U squad clinched its third straight title. They, too, entered their state tournament as the District 1 champion and went undefeated through a strong field of competitors, beginning with an 8–0 victory over Douglas/Coffee County. They handled their next opponent, Murray County, with ease, winning 9–0, to put themselves in the winner’s bracket final, during which the hometown team defeated host Lyons decisively 9–1 to advance to the championship. Lyons would need to beat them twice to win the crown, and the neighbors from next door did put up a fight, winning 1–0 to force the rubber match. However, it was Emanuel County who came out on top when it mattered, winning in dramatic fashion, 4–3.

Players include: Analeigh Scarborough, Blakely Brinson, Brooklyn Lewis, Cayleigh Taylor, Eden Hudson, Ella Jo Hooks, Emma Claxton, Evie Jarriel, Evie Moore, Hadley Claxton, Mary Bess Fields, Mylee Weber, and Zoie Hooks. Coaches are: Bill Brinson, Mitchell Hudson, and Richard Claxton.

“This all-star season was a great journey for our team from start to finish. All summer, we faced some of the best competition you can find in our area, and the girls kept getting better every game. We started off with the Lyons tournament and finished second there. We lost to a very tough Lyons team, which would turn out to be a familiar opponent. I think that loss made us better in the end because by the time we got to district, we really seemed to be ‘clicking.’ As the host, we got to avenge that loss to Lyons in front of our home crowd, which was great, but I think we played our best ball yet last week,” said Coach Hudson. “We breezed through to the championship game, but we dropped it to none other than Lyons. I think it was one of the best 12U games I’ve ever coached or seen for that matter. Our, Hadley, had a perfect game going until a walk in the last inning. We had a passed ball and Lyons scored. That could’ve taken the wind out of our sails, but it didn’t because the next day, the girls came out so fired up and fresh. Our defense stood tall all game long, right down to the last out. The tying run was on second, the winning run was on first, and our pitcher and defense made the last out to bring that trophy back to Emanuel County. It was truly special to see our girls play to their fullest potential when it mattered most.”

Meanwhile, two teams finished as state runners-up.

10U Girls Wheel Pitch

The first of those two teams: the 10U girls. Many of the players on this roster were part of last year’s 8U girls wheel pitch state championship team, and they carried that experience into this year’s play. Emanuel County (again, entering as District 1’s champion) dropped their opening game to Lee County, 13–12, setting up a long road out of the loser’s bracket in the dead heat of Georgia summer. Not to be deterred, they beat Wayne County 12–10 and Moultrie County 16–3 the next day, then came out swinging on Thursday against Vidalia, winning 12–10 to force the if-necessary game for the title that evening. They fell just short, 6–2, finishing second overall in the state.

Players include: Aubrey Akins, Avery Frye, Ayla Marsh, Brenlee Pepin, Callie Mae Davis, Caroline Lewis, Danni Lynn Williamson, Harlee Claxton, Karsyn Scarborough, Keegan Freeman, Lennox Lindsey, Paisley Boynton, and Weslee Fields. Coaches are: DJ Davis, Jeffery Scarborough, and Justin Lindsey.

“We are so proud of these girls! They have shown more resilience, grit, and determination than I’ve seen in a long time,” said Coach Davis. “They have a bright future, and we are grateful to have this level of softball in Emanuel County. Keep your eyes on these girls. They’ll be state champions again.”

14U Boys Live Pitch

The other second-place trophy coming back to Emanuel County was courtesy of the 14U boys. As District 1’s runner-up, they began their run with a commanding 13–3 win over Liberty County, then proceeded to take care of Dawson County 11–2. In the game that followed, they fell to eventual champion, Wayne County, 5–2, but put up a strong fight the remainder of the day, handling Liberty County in the loser’s bracket, 18–3, to set up a rematch with Wayne, coming up short 6–0.

Players include: Ayden Bishop, Banks Burke, Bentley Peebles, Bryson Rogers, Bryton Rowland, Cade Colston, Colt Sconyers, Devin Cuyler, Hayden Wren, Jace Marchman, Maddux Hendrix, and Peyton Deriso. Coaches are: Ashley Colston, Hugh Hendrix, Joey Burke, and Ted Sconyers.

“Even though we eventually reached the state championship game, our all-star season actually started off pretty shaky,” said Coach Hendrix, “but our guys put in a lot of hard work and improved tremendously throughout the season. I’m especially proud of the fact the guys really came together as a team and that every single member of the team played a very important role in our success. When guys practice hard, play hard, and don’t care who gets the credit, great things can be accomplished, and I think we saw that on full display with this group.”

Two of Emanuel County’s teams finished third in their respective tournaments.

8U Girls Wheel Pitch

The 8U girls, representing Emanuel’s youngest division for softball and the county’s fourth district champion entering their state tournament, finished in third place. They faced the eventual state champion, Wayne County, in their opening game, falling 19–6. Dropped into the elimination bracket, the team responded with a huge offensive performance, defeating Lee County 25–6 to stay alive. In the elimination final, Emanuel County ran into Vidalia and ultimately fell 14–6 to conclude their tournament run.

Players include: Allie Braddock, Aubri Murry, Bristol Weber, Ca’Riyuana Moody, Carli Davis, Dani Parker, Ellee Denney, Evelyn Spires, Mary Ames Lewis, Pacey Thompson, Piper McNeely, and Robbi Ann Faircloth. Coaches are: Brooke Lewis, Bryant Lewis, Eric Weber, and Heather Murry.

“Coaching this all-star team this summer was an honor and a blessing,” said Coach [Brooke] Lewis. “We won 13 out of the 17 games we played, including two championships: one at the Lyons tournament and, of course, the other at district. We had a truly fantastic season. The girls worked hard, spent their summer in the heat preparing for the next game, and made some special memories. We came up a little short at state, but we celebrate a wonderful season. I’m looking forward to next year already.”

8U Boys Wheel Pitch

The other third-place finish belonged to the 8U boys. Game 1 pitted them against Wayne County, who won a close one, 7–5 contest, forcing the local boys to climb through the loser’s bracket. Emanuel County responded with a 14–0 shutout of Sumter County and a 4–3 win over Moultrie–Colquitt before ultimately falling 11–1 to Vidalia in the elimination bracket final.

Players include: Ayden Crabb, Bo Tucker, Broxton Hooks, Eli Moore, Gatlin Bedgood, Hudson Hooks, Kelton Gay, Kingston Gay, Landry Pressey, Lincoln Smisson, Maysn Hales, and Nate Johnson. Coaches are: Ashley Hooks, Caleb Pressey, and Josh Gay.

“We worked really hard this year, and it showed. We won the Lyons tournament, our district championship, and finished third in the state. That in itself is worth bragging about, but I also was proud of our boys for the way they responded after our first game. This is such an important age for baseball because it’s where we learn the fundamentals and we learn how to fight,” said Coach Hooks. “I think you’re going to see great things from this group of guys as they get older.”

Emanuel County’s remaining two teams, the 10U boys and the 12U boys, both tied for fifth in their respective state tournaments.

10U Boys Wheel Pitch

The 10U team came into the tournament as the District 1 runner-up. They dropped their opening game to Sumter County 3–0 but rebounded with a 9–5 win against Moultrie–Colquitt. The boys then took on Wayne County and fell 9–1, ending their season.

Players include: Abel Rogers, Asher Edenfield, Bennett Beasley, Brady Bishop, Conner Clements, Dawson Clements, Hudson Moore, Jaxson Hudson, Kanon Newsome, Kellan McNeely, Mason Murry, and Waylon Mills. Coaches are: Brett Bishop, Matt Murry, and Stephen Beasley.

“This 10U team has tons of potential, so the future is very bright for Emanuel County. They are an amazing group of boys to work with. They came eager to learn and work every day. I asked a lot of them, practicing five to six days a week, and they responded every day with a smile on their face and the work ethic needed to be a state champion,” said Coach Bishop. “We came up a little short of our goal in the end, but it isn’t from lack of effort. I’m proud of each and every one of them. I told them on Day 1 I wanted this to be a summer they remembered for a lifetime, and I think they will.”

12U Boys Live Pitch

As for the 12U boys, Emanuel County opened state play with an offensively-explosive, impressive 20–0 win over Moultrie–Colquitt. This set up their next game against Wayne County, another high-scoring contest. They put up 8 runs, but it wouldn’t be enough to their opponent’s 15, sending the hometown team to the loser’s bracket, where they ultimately exited the tournament after a 3–0 loss to Summerville.

Players include: Bentlee Akridge, Benton Bishop, Chandler Mincey, Chance Langford, Charlie McNeely, Dalton Flowers, Drake Clements, Gauge Akridge, Greyson Gowen, Hudson Ware, Layton Lindsey, and Reese McNeely. Coaches are: Dean Gowen, Jansen Ware, and Matthew McNeely.

“Our guys worked hard all year long. We had a great run at the Lyons tournament to start off the season. We picked up second place there, and that really set the tone for the rest of our time together. We went over to Vidalia for our district tournament and finished second place there, and we felt really good coming into state. We put up 28 runs in 3 games. That’s certainly competitive, and as a coach, those two things are all you can ask of your players—to work hard and be competitive. I’m extremely proud of the effort, the way our boys competed, and how well they represented Emanuel County,” said Coach McNeely.

Recreation Director Jerry Lawson praised all eight teams for their determination, skill, and sportsmanship throughout the summer season.

“This has been another incredible year for Emanuel County recreation,” Lawson said. “Three years in a row with multiple state championships is something every player and family, and hopefully the everyday person, can be proud of. We are excited to see what next season brings as these young athletes continue to grow and compete.”

The state champions will be recognized by the Emanuel County Board of Commissioners at an upcoming meeting.

The Emanuel County Board of Commissioners governs Emanuel County, focusing on legislative and administrative responsibilities. Comprised of representatives from five districts, the board oversees policies and programs that impact local development, budgeting, and public services. Commissioners work collectively to ensure fiscal responsibility and address community needs, collaborating with other county departments and agencies. They are committed to supporting economic growth, public safety, and community well-being across Emanuel County.

For more information about the commissioners and for the latest from the county government, visit 124 North Main Street in Swainsboro; call 478-237-3881; follow us on Facebook; or visit www.emanuelco-ga.gov.