After three solid days of rain the skies finally parted Wednesday, and the 7-and-8 year-old Dixie Youth “AA” League concluded its season in grand style with a 7-inning thriller.

With a possible tie for first place with Keen Chiropractic on the line, second-place F&F Drugs roared out of the gates with a 3-run first inning. But Robertson Bank fought back with a run in the second and fourth innings before taking a 6-3 lead with a big 4-run fifth.

F&F responded with their second 3-run rally in the top of the sixth, tying the game at 6 and setting up a dramatic final inning in which both teams would have the opportunity to win the game. F&F got base hits from Matthew Trest and Wallace Tutt to put two runners on base in their half of the inning, but could not force a run across.

In the bottom half, Jacob Rodrigues laced a double and Hunter Colyar and Wesley Holemon followed with infield hits to load the bases for Robertson Bank. But an excellent play at third base by F&F Drugs preserved the 6-6 tie.

The result meant that Keen Chiropractic claimed sole possession of first place with a 12-4 overall record. F&F finished a strong second with a 10-3-3 record, and Wallace Woods, Robertson Bank, and McDonald’s rounded out the standings after Wallace Woods had defeated McDonald’s in the other Wednesday night game.

Keen Chiropractic coach John Lins said his players had put a lot of hard work into their first-place finish.

“From where we started,” he said, to where we ended up, in first place, that’s the best you can ask for. I’m very proud of my team.”

The season will continue for Lins and three of his players who were named to the Dixie Youth “AA” All-Star team. Lins will be joined on the coaching staff by Jimmy Holtzclaw, Mark Johnson, and Walter Tutt.

In addition to the three Keen Chiropractic players, the All-Star roster includes four players from F&F Drugs, three from Wallace Woods, two from McDonald’s and one from Robertson Bank. The players are, in alphabetical order, Will Allen, Blake Bowden, Tyler Colburn, Austin Dinning, Josh Holifield, Caleb Holtzclaw, Mark Joseph Johnson, Sam Renner, Jacob Rodrigues, Trent Spruell, Matthew Trest, Wallace Tutt, and Luke Yelverton.

Dixie Youth Commissioner Chris Stewart said that the All-Stars would take the field June 17th in Butler, likely at 6 p.m. versus the All-Star team from Linden. Practice for the All-Stars will begin as soon as this Friday.

Before the league trophy presentations, Stewart thanked the parents for their participation and the players for a good season.

“Out turnout was pretty good,” he said afterwards, noting that between 60 and 65 boys had signed up for the league. “We run a good program here. I’d say fun was had by all.”

The 9-and-10 year-old and 11-and-12 year old Dixie Youth Leagues will conclude their seasons tonight at the SportPlex, weather permitting.

Babe Ruth League to restart Thursday

While the SportPlex’s smaller field drained in time for the Dixie Youth “AA” league to finish its season, damp field conditions prevented the Babe Ruth League from getting back under way after Tuesday’s washouts.

“We’ll resume our normal schedule tomorrow,” said Rob Pearson, Babe Ruth Commissioner. “They don’t like us tearing up the fields while they’re still damp.”

Pearson said he had plenty of room left in the schedule to make up the rain-outs.

“We’ll just play a few more double-headers. We’ll get ’em all in,” he said. “It just comes with the territory.”