The Southern Jaguars are going to the World Series.

The 12-under Jaguars won the American Amateur Baseball Congress Southeast Regional in the Pee Wee Reese division in Westin, Fla., and will represent the region in the World Series in Toa Baja, Puerto Rico, Aug. 4-9. The Jaguars, coached by Ron Smith, play their home games at the Marquis Grissom Field of Dreams in Conyers.

“We are so excited to be representing Marquis Grissom Baseball and the entire AABC Southeast region,” said Smith. “It is a true testament to all of the hard work and dedication of our players and their parents.”

The Jaguars (54-14) got to the World Series by erasing a 3-0 deficit and defeating the Atlanta Icons 9-3 in the championship game thanks to Bryce O’Brien and Andrew Hinton. O’Brien pitched a complete game and Hinton, the team’s catcher, launched two, three-run home runs, the first of which gave the Jaguars the lead for good at 5-3. To reach the title game, the Jaguars got a game-tying, three-run home run from Hinton and a walk-off single by Jordan Scott.

A World Series title puts the Jaguars in the National Youth Baseball Championship in Cordova, Tenn., August 26-29. The NYBC, sponsored by Major League Baseball, is comprised of the winners from eight youth baseball organizations-the AABC, AAU, Babe Ruth Baseball, USSSA, Pony Baseball, Dixie Youth Baseball, NABF and Super Series Baseball.

Former Heritage golfer qualifies for US Amateur

Bill Jones III, a 2005 graduate of Heritage High School, shot a 69 and 66 to outpace a 144-man field to win the US Amateur Golf Qualifier at the Piedmont Driving Club in Atlanta. The Conyers native secured a two-day total of 7-under, 135 to win the tournament by a stroke.

“This was a pleasant surprise. I’ve played in several tournaments this summer where I hit the ball solidly, but didn’t putt well,” Jones said. “This week, I played two days of very solid golf on a very demanding course.”

Jones is eligible for the 110th edition of the US Amateur, which is scheduled for Aug. 23-29 at picturesque Chambers Bay in University Place, Washington.

Golf Tournament
to benefit local FCA

First Baptist Church of Conyers will sponsor a golf tournament Aug. 13 at Hickory Hills Golf Club in Jackson to benefit the Rockdale and Newton chapters of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

The tournament, a four-person scramble, is open to any individual at $75 per person, or team at $300. The entry fee includes 18 holes of golf, a golf cart, range balls and lunch from 11 a.m. to 11:45 a.m., while the top three teams will receive gift certificates and prizes will be awarded for closest to the pin on all par-3 holes and for longest drive. First Baptist Church Pastor Jeff Meyers is expected to play one hole with each team.

Gamers win World Series

The Gamers 12-under baseball team, based out of McDonough and including Rockdale County native Anthony Williams, recently won the USSSA World Series in Panama City, Fla.

The Gamers went 8-1 in the tournament, thanks in large part to Williams. He pitched a one-hit shutout, striking out eight in an 8-0 win to eliminate a team from Louisana. Then in Game 1 of the championship series against Georgia Academy Red (McDonough), he picked up the save in an eight-inning victory to force a deciding Game 2. In the clincher, Williams struck out two in the top of the sixth and the Gamers won the next half inning on a walk-off home run.

Williams, an eighth grader at Ray Davis Middle School, allowed just two hits and two earned runs in 92⁄3 innings in the tournament, striking out 17.