HOPEWELL BASEBALL WORLD SERIES CHAMPIONS by The Progress-Index

HOPEWELL DIXIE YOUTH NATIONAL CHAMPIONS

WORLD SERIES

CHAMPIONS

The Hopewell Majors All-Stars

whats inside: roster Celebration Recap Fundraising World Series Timeline State Tournament Recap World Series bracket Semifinal Recap photos of the team Championship Game Recap SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD

HOPEWELL DIXIE YOUTH NATIONAL CHAMPIONS

The Hopewell Majors All-Stars

1 Anthony Clark 3 Camden Hunt 4 Ryder Hazlitt 6 Christian Edwards 7 Colsen McComber 8 Tavin Tucker

12 13 16 22 55 99

Demetrius Simms Ethan McComber Jake Irby Xavier Taylor Brian Moore Luke Kuhns

Manager Clint Gorkiewicz Asst. Coach Joe Kuhns | Asst. Coach Ricky Irby

HOPEWELL DIXIE YOUTH NATIONAL CHAMPIONS

Photo provided by Ricky Irby

HOPEWELL DIXIE YOUTH NATIONAL CHAMPIONS

“Hopewell is backing us big time” With World Series trip on horizon, community has come together to raise funds for Hopewell team By Jeff Milby, Sports Editor

HOPEWELL - At the end of the Hopewell Optimist Club Baseball Tournament championship game for the 11 and 12-yearold division, the players lined up, shaking hands and offering congratulations. Ettrick defeated Hopewell for the title, 7-1, and the handshakes were a customary show of good sportsmanship. But then, coaches and parents of the Ettrick team took that showing to another level. Along with other area teams, the Hopewell bunch won the Majors Division II state championship last week earning a bid to the national Dixie Youth Baseball World Series, to be held in Lumberton, North Carolina. It represents a unique opportunity to represent the Commonwealth of Virginia in a national competition. It also represents a hefty bill. Travel expenses, hotel accommodations and meals for the coaches, players and parents aren’t cheap, and so the team has been out raising funds, with a Facebook fundraiser, a GoFundMe page and good, old-fashioned cash donations from people in the community to help cover the costs of the trip. That’s where the Ettick sportsmanship came in. Following the game, with Ettrick players off celebrating with their championship plaques, parents and coaches of the Ettrick team came over the Hopewell dugout, cash in hand, donating to the team’s cause. Even after competition, the feeling of community between the two sides was evident. It’s been a common occurrence this week, with the Hopewell fundraiser proving to be a huge success, according to the team’s head coach, Clint Gorkiewicz. “A lot of people in the city have stepped up, donated,” he said. “It’s going better than we expected, to be honest. Hopewell is backing us a lot, big time.” Gorkiewicz did not have a total amount of funds raised available, noting that several people were collecting on the team’s behalf. But, he said, the funds that had been coming in, were already sufficient to reach their goals.

HOPEWELL DIXIE YOUTH NATIONAL CHAMPIONS

“It’s going to cover the trip,” he said. The Progress-Index is aware of at least one gentleman, who declined to be publicized, that reportedly gave the team one-thousand dollars. And that’s just a part of the funds that were raised, with people throughout the community reaching into their wallets to help the Hopewell team reach the promised land in North Carolina. “They’re just ecstatic,” Gorkiewicz said of his players’ excitement for the trip. “They can’t wait. It’s going to be a great experience for the kids -- all of us really. It’s going to be a great experience for us coaches going down there, seeing all the talent.” Hopewell will take on the Mississippi champions on Friday, in an early afternoon game. The tournament is double-elimination, meaning every team will have the opportunity to bounce back following a loss, and ensuring every team gets multiple games. Despite the fact that the World Series will feature talented teams from across the country, Gorkiewicz is confident in his team’s ability to compete and their chances of claiming the championship. ″(We want to) go down there and win it. That’s what we plan on doing,” he said, without a hint of irony. “We think we have a good team to go down there and do work and get it done.” Regardless of the result, the experience will be the culmination of years of work. “Me and coach (Ricky) Irby have been working with these kids since they were five years old,” Gorkiewicz said. “We’ve coached these kids all the way up, and that was one goal we had was to be here at one point.” As the first Hopewell team to claim a state championship, they’ve already done enough to be proud of. Now, in large part thanks to their community, they will have the opportunity to make their mark on a national stage. Jeff Milby can be reached at jmilby@progress-index.com or 804-722-5151. Follow him on twitter @JeffMilby.

Photo provided by Ricky Irby

HOPEWELL DIXIE YOUTH NATIONAL CHAMPIONS

Hopewell Majors Make the Cut By Chai Gallahun, Herald-Post Staff

HOPEWELL- The Hopewell Majors All-Star team is the first from the city to reach the Dixie World Series. The team consisting of 11 and 12-year-olds led by coaches Clint Gorkiewicz, Ricky Irby, and Joe Kuhns put forth a great effort during the state tournament that took place in Victoria from July 5 to July 12. Hopewell defeated Prince Edward/Farmville in the championship 7-3. This week they are traveling to Lumberton, North Carolina where the World Series will start Friday, July 26. Hopewell only lost one game in the state tournament, at the hands of Prince George. “It just wasn’t our day,” said Gorkiewicz. Catcher Colsen McComber had suffered a broken finger and was unable to play his natural position which threw the team off a bit. McComber will play in the World Series but is likely to play somewhere out in the field. Following the loss, Hopewell moved on to the loser’s bracket but never dropped another game. It was strong pitching and defense that allowed them to persevere according to Gorkiewicz. After the final win, they had accomplished something they had been working at for the last couple of years when this team first came together.

HOPEWELL DIXIE YOUTH NATIONAL CHAMPIONS

“It was just some that had never been done before in Hopewell,” coach Gorkiewicz said talking about a trip to the World Series. “It was just a great feeling for everyone.” He then paid tribute to the parents who have been extremely dedicated throughout the process. He said it feels like one big family now. It’s been a busy last couple of weeks as the Hopewell AllStars even competed in the Hopewell Optimist Baseball Classic as a tune-up for the World Series. Hopewell made it all the way to the championship but fell to a strong travel ball team representing Ettrick. Gorkiewicz believed it was beneficial for his team to compete as they were able to give some guys different opportunities at positions they do not typically play. “You never know what is going to happen,” he said. This week they are heading down south where they will face Mississippi during the first round on Friday. Hopewell is going in with the mentality of “we aren’t done yet” in hope of capturing another trophy and putting the city on the map for Dixie Baseball.

DIXIE YOUTH BASEBALL 2019 DIXIE YOUTH MAJORS WORLD SERIES Lumberton, North Carolina Division II

Friday, July 26 FLORIDA

Saturday, July 27

Game 1 10:30 AM Field 5

SOUTH CAROLINA

VIRGINIA

Game 2 12:45 PM Field 5

VIRGINIA

MISSISSIPPI

ALABAMA

Game 3 3:00 PM Field 2

NORTH CAROLINA

TEXAS

Monday, July 29

3:00 PM

Field 5

NOTE: If, after Game #15, there are three teams with one loss each, they will draw for the Game #17 bye. [If three teams remain with one loss and all have played the same number of games, there will be two runners-up in the

Game 11 2:45 PM Field 5

Wednesday, July 31

Tuesday, July 30

SOUTH CAROLINA

Game 5 10:30 AM Field 5

GEORGIA

Game 4

Sunday, July 28

VIRGINIA

RED SPRINGS

ALABAMA

Game 8 3:00 PM Field 5 TEXAS

ALABAMA

TEXAS 0

Game 6 12:45 PM Field 5

VIRGINIA

Game 15 12:45 PM Field 5

GEORGIA

MISSISSIPPI

GEORGIA 0

Game 10 2:45 PM Field 2 RED SPRINGS

VIRGINIA 2019 Majors World Series Champions Divison II

Game 17 2:00 PM Field 5

MISSISSIPPI

Sportsmanship Winner Virginia

Game 16 10:00 AM Field 5

VIRGINIA Game 7 3:00 PM Field 2

(BYE)

Game 9 12:30 PM Field 5 MISSISSIPPI

MISSISSIPPI

NORTH CAROLINA

ALABAMA

9 FLORIDA

Game 13 12:45 PM Field 5

VIRGINIA 2

Game 14 10:30 AM Field 5

1 SOUTH CAROLINA

Co-Batting Champions Carson Lewis South Carolina 6-10 .600 Jay Burns Alabama

15 Game 12 10:30 AM Field 5 GEORGIA

MISSISSIPPI

ALABAMA

HOPEWELL DIXIE YOUTH NATIONAL CHAMPIONS

Hopewell All-Stars advance to Dixie League World Series championship 7-4 win over South Carolina propels team to title game Contributed Report

LUMBERTON, N.C. — Hopewell All-Stars manager Clint Gorkiewicz has had the misfortune of watching his Majors team play every day without a bye since the Dixie Youth Division II World Series began on Friday. Every club left in the tournament has had a day off, including Tuesday’s opponent South Carolina, but Gorkiewicz stressed to his team the magnitude of the moment and that proved to be the difference. “It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity for these kids and that’s what we told them since Day One,” he said, after his team fought off elimination for the second-straight day with a 7-4 payback win over South Carolina. “We had our bats going and our pitching has been great. We played an all-around good game today and that’s what it’s going to take to win this tournament.” The victory avenged a close loss from over the weekend and moves Virginia into Wednesday afternoon’s championship game at 2 p.m. on Field 5 at the Pennington Athletic Complex in Lumberton, North Carolina. Meanwhile, South Carolina’s tournament run comes to an end with the loss. Hopewell ace Demetrius Simms made his second start in the last three days against South Carolina, which his coach and teammates feel is a recipe for success. “He’s a bulldog. He’s our go-to man,” Gorkiewicz said of Simms. “The kid is just great. Every time you put him on that mound you know you’re going to have a good day.” Simms impressed yet again from the bump, throwing his second complete game of the tournament while giving up just one earned run. On offense, Hopewell’s Anthony Clark continued his lobby for hottest bat at the tournament going 2-for-3 with a double and two runs.

HOPEWELL DIXIE YOUTH NATIONAL CHAMPIONS

But according to Gorkiewicz, it was his role players that gave a lending hand to Clark and Co., propelling the group to the final game tomorrow. “That’s how we’ve played this whole tournament, some of our best players have had bad days and people at the bottom of the lineup have stepped up and helped us win these games,” he said. Nine-hole batter Xavier Taylor finished with one hit, but it was a triple in the fifth inning. And his insurance run just moments later gave them a 7-4 advantage. Jake Irby had a team-high three RBIs and also claimed a triple for his only hit. The three-bagger came in the top of the third and scored two runs to put Hopewell up 5-0. For South Carolina, Landon Nobles got the team on the board in the fifth with a solo shot to left-center field to tighten the margin to 5-1. Ryder Mills South Carolina in hits, going 2-for-2 at the dish with an RBI, and Miles Trussell had a team-high two RBIs. Trussell’s last RBI was in the sixth inning that made the score 7-4. As for Gorkiewicz, despite playing five games in five days and having to play a sixth to take home the World Series title, he feels team spirits are at an all-time high. “It’s been a fun ride and it ain’t over yet,” he said. Luke Kuhns, Ethan McComber, Christian Edwards and Colsen Edwards chipped in with one hit apiece for Hopewell. Jamison Rogers, Carson Lewis and Colby Richardson all ended with a hit in the loss.

Photo provided by Lin Emerson

HOPEWELL DIXIE YOUTH NATIONAL CHAMPIONS

Photo provided by Lin Emerson

HOPEWELL DIXIE YOUTH NATIONAL CHAMPIONS

Photo provided by Dawn Bishop

HOPEWELL DIXIE YOUTH NATIONAL CHAMPIONS

Hopewell rallies late to claim championship over Mississippi 6-1 “Hard work and dedication” key sixth inning comeback, coach says Contributed Story LUMBERTON, N.C. — Scoreless through five innings of Wednesday’s title game in the Dixie Youth Division II Majors World Series against Mississippi, Hopewell All-Stars coach Clint Gorkiewicz faced a one-run deficit. “That’s kind of what we kept stressing to the kids, ‘Look, the game’s not over. It’s 1-0. We can come back,’” said Gorkiewicz. “They stepped up big time in that last inning.” In the top of the sixth, Hopewell lead-off hitter Ethan McComber drew a walk. Moments later, Anthony Clark, popped a hard-hit ground ball to the right side of the infield. The ball traveled through the glove of the second baseman and trickled to the right-field fence to allow McComber to score the team’s first run and ignite a 6-1 win to secure the tournament’s first championship trophy.

After scoring double-digit runs in two of its last three contests, Mississippi couldn’t crack Hopewell’s defense led Clark, who pitched a one-hitter through 4 1/3 innings. Hopewell’s defense supported Clark throughout the game in clutch spots. In the bottom of the third, catcher Luke Kuhns snagged a passed ball off the fence then dove to tag the Mississippi runner at the plate to preserve the 1-0 deficit. The next atbat, center fielder Camden Hunt made a tough running grab on a well-hit fly ball to end the inning with three runners left on. Gorkiewicz says that his team was familiar with being down and wouldn’t panic because they didn’t start games with hot bats throughout the entire season.

Gorkiewicz credits the relationship he and his coaching staff have established with the group for the last six years for the late rally.

After McComber’s game-tying score in the sixth, Kuhns hit an RBI single to bring home Clark and give Hopewell its first lead, 2-1. He would also come across the plate in the inning as Demetrius Simms hit a two-run double. Simms, Colsen McComber and Jake Irby all touched home in the six-run rally.

“All that hard work and dedication through the coaches, the parents and the kids — we met our goal today,” he said.

Ethan McComber took over for Clark and kept Mississippi scoreless to close out Hopewell’s first World Series title.

Mississippi scored its only run of the contest in the opening inning as Trey Barnes got the team’s sole RBI on a groundout to second that brought home lead-off man Easton Ford.

In addition to taking home championship hardware, Hopewell also was awarded the Sportsmanship award for the World Series.

Photo provided by Donell Coley

HOPEWELL DIXIE YOUTH NATIONAL CHAMPIONS

Photo provided by Donell Coley

Photo provided by Lin Emerson

HOPEWELL DIXIE YOUTH NATIONAL CHAMPIONS

Hopewell wins dixie league world series The Hopewell All-Stars did something in the summer of 2019 that no other team can claim - they came out of the state of Virginia to win a Dixie League World Series. Since 1957 Virginia Dixie Youth Baseball has sent Majors division teams to the Dixie League World Series, and 61 times those teams came back without a title.

Through just 31 pitches, Clark had nine strikeouts. He'd finish the game with 11, with McComber shutting the door behind him en route to the win. One walk was all that separated Hopewell from a perfect game. If their opposition hadn't taken notice of Hopewell yet, this performance surely raised some eyebrows.

That all changed when Hopewell came along.

Round 3: Back to Earth, Hopewell falls to South Carolina, 5-2

The first Hopewell team to win the state championship also became the first Virginia team to win a World Series, and they did it in nearly perfect fashion, dominating from the first game of the tournament to the last. Aside from one loss, the Hopewell All-Stars were impeccable on their run to glory.

The lone blemish on the All-Stars Dixie League trip, the third game of their tournament against South Carolina provided s ome adversity to their path in a 5-2 loss.

Here's a look at how they did it: Round 1: Hopewell trounces Mississippi in opener, 9-1 The All-Stars began their World Series with a bang, smashing Mississippi in a one-sided game, highlighted by the pitching performance of Demetrius Simms. Simms threw a complete-game without allowing an earned run. On the offensive side, the All-Stars knocked the cover off the ball, just about from the first pitch. Anthony Clark set the tone early, with a two-run inside-the-park home run. The All-Stars led 8-0, before Mississippi scored, going on to win by the same margin, 9-1. Round 2: No-hitter for Clark and McComber in 6-0 All-Stars win What Simms started in the opener, Clark and Ethan McComber took to the next level in the second game of the tournament, leading Hopewell to a 6-0 win in a combined no-hitter. Clark was sensational early, striking out batter after batter.

HOPEWELL DIXIE YOUTH NATIONAL CHAMPIONS

Hopewell struck first, with Anthony Clark coming around to score after leading off the second inning with a triple, adding to his already stellar tournament. Hopewell fell behind 5-1 in the sixth inning, before mounting a short comeback. The loss would be the team's only setback. Round 4: Mercy! Hopewell stomps Georgia, 12-2 Now in the so-called "Loser's Bracket" of the double-elimination competition, the All-Stars still had a clear path to the championship and re-asserted their earlier dominant form in a 10-run, mercy-rule shortened, four-inning win over Georgia. In the first inning alone, McComber, Clark, Christian Edwards and Simms all scored after, with two base hits and two walks between them. McComber and Luke Kuhns added two more runs in the third, before Hopewell unloaded on Georgia in the fourth, scoring six runs to put the game to an early end. Xavier Taylor, Camden Hunt, McComber, Clark, Kuhns and Edwards scored in the decisive fourth, with Simms driving home the final run.

Photos provided by Ricky Irby

HOPEWELL DIXIE YOUTH NATIONAL CHAMPIONS

Hopewell celebrates as World Champs By Brandon Carwile, Herald-Post Staff HOPEWELL- There’s never a bad time to play “We Are the Champions,” especially following a Dixie League World Series championship. For those who weren’t there, you could have heard the classic song from the band Queen on Friday at Hopewell High School when the city congratulated the Hopewell Majors All-Star team. They recently returned from their latest tournament run in Lumberton, North Carolina where they defeated Mississippi in the championship game. City officials, fans, and family members piled into the auditorium to congratulate the team. The team made up of 11 and 12-year-old boys are the first from Hopewell or Virginia to bring home a Dixie World Series trophy despite years of competing. Assistant City Manager Charles Dane kicked off the ceremony by introducing the team and members of the local government there to show their support. Mayor Jasmine Gore was joined by councilors Brenda Pelham, Debbie Randolph, Janice Denton, and Johnny Partin. “This is quite an accomplishment to climb to this level so quickly,” Dane said in his opening statement. “We are really proud of them.”

Mayor Gore soon followed and said she was able to watch the team play this summer. “I was amazed at your talent,” she told them. As a token of the city’s appreciation, Gore presented each player and coach a key to the city. This had only been done one other time in Hopewell’s history, according to Dane. Dane then attempted to coax a few comments from the players to talk about their experience. At such a young age, most were very shy but some could at least muster a few comments. Anthony Clark, who had hit an inside the park home run during the tournament, said he did it on a curveball that he hit to left field. Dane then spoke with Brian Moore who said his favorite player was Prince George High School alumnus Jackie Bradly Jr., now a member of the Boston Red Sox. Earlier in the day, Bradley prepared a video message to the team congratulating them. That video was then played for the team during Friday’s ceremony. “First off, I just want to say congratulations on your World Series run,” he said in his message. “You all had a lot of people pulling for you back home and we are just so excited for you.” The team was shell shocked to hear from a local hero and fellow World champion. As if that wasn’t enough, the players were urged to autograph team-related items of fans and family members to further cement the feeling of accomplishment into the minds of the young athletes. This team will always be remembered in Hopewell’s history but you never know if one may make it all the way to the pros like Bradley.

Mayor Jasmine Gore gave each player a key to the city.

HOPEWELL DIXIE YOUTH NATIONAL CHAMPIONS

The Hopewell Majors All-Star team held a celebration at Hopewell High School aftering winning the Dixie World Series. Here is the team as they prepare to be recognized

HOPEWELL DIXIE YOUTH NATIONAL CHAMPIONS

“A sportsmanlike manner” Hopewell All-Stars honored with Sportsmanship Award to go along with World Series Championship The award is not something the organization takes lightly, Dixie League commissioner William Wade said.

By Jeff Milby, Progress-Index Staff

The Dixie Youth Baseball League considers their Sportsmanship award as a high honor, using lofty language to distinguish it among the other many accolades that come with making a Dixie League World Series appearance..

“The most prestigious award that is given in Dixie Youth Baseball is our Sportsmanship Award,” said Wade. “The policy of Dixie Youth Baseball is to promote the development of strong character, a right attitude and a sense of responsibility using the game of baseball as a vehicle.”

“The Sportsmanship Award should be coveted almost as highly as the championship trophy itself,” the organization’s website reads. The Hopewell All-Stars can count themselves in the Dixie League’s highest regards, then, for not only winning the Dixie League Division II Majors World Series, but also taking home the tournament’s Sportsmanship Award, as voted on by the league’s officials and umpires. “Everyone should remember that the players are youngsters of league-age twelve years or less, and we should not expect great miracles from them, only great effort,” the Dixie League website reads. “Cheer your team and let your enthusiasm be known, but do it in a sportsmanlike manner. Applaud good plays whether by your players or the opposition. Never heckle or throw insults at opponents because they are all fine youngsters who want to win as much as you.” Hopewell joined five other teams from Virginia that have won the Sportsmanship Award at Dixie League Majors level, including teams from Colonial Heights in 2014, and Prince George in 2015.

Wade identified the qualities of good sportsmanship that lead to a team being selected as fairness, ethics, respect and, “a sense of fellowship with one’s competitor’s.” They are qualities that the league hopes to build in its players, and something they can take from their experiences that will be more meaningful than just a trophy.

SPO RTS

“In baseball, as in life, we are measured not by the games we win but more so we are measured by ethics, morals and how we conduct ourselves every day,” Wade said. “In my mind I think that Hope w long after the last pitch Majo ell All-Sta rs Div rs win is caught the most honision D II Wo ixie Leag orable thing we can say rld Se u ries e about a child is that he or she is a good sport. That is what will carry him or her to even greater endeavors in the game of life.”

WORL D CHAM SERIES PION S!

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Congratulations Hopewell

Majors All-Stars On your historic victory for Hopewell!

HOPEWELL DIXIE YOUTH NATIONAL CHAMPIONS

Hopewell IN ACTION

Photos provided by Lin Emerson

HOPEWELL DIXIE YOUTH NATIONAL CHAMPIONS

Photos provided by Lin Emerson

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