Challenger Game Stories for Week 4 - Thanks to Brian Bailey for this week's Challenger Game Stories.

GREENVILLE - The Braves and Reds opened the day on a beautiful Saturday morning at the Sarah Vaughn Field of Dreams. The Reds really hit the ball well again. This truly is the "Big Red Machine." Ronald Williams was hot for the Braves, pounding out two strong singles.  Catherine Armstrong did well at third base.  Hunter Barfield was a vacuum at second base stopping two sharply hit balls.

The Cubs and Pirates battled in the second game. The Cub's Caroline Tyer hit first in the line-up and celebrated her birthday with a couple of hits. Tameka Clark and Gary Hardison also hit the ball well for the Cubs. The Cubs also welcomed back Eddie Griffin, who had missed every game so far after surgery.

The Marlins and Orioles played the third and final game. Both the "M's" and the "O's" put on a great display of baseball and sportsmanship in their game.

Mother nature wiped out the annual ECU exhibition game on Sunday. However, ECU Coach Billy Godwin and the players did host an autograph session for those that braved the elements to go out to Clark-LeClair Stadium. Each player received a baseball and the players were available for autographs.

The Challenger Division will take this weekend off for Memorial Day.

Next week, the Tigers play the A's at 9AM. The Marlins tangle with the Pirates at 10:15AM and then the Cubs play the Braves at 11:30.

 Challenger Game Stories for Week 3  - Thanks to Brian Bailey for this week's Challenger Game Stories.

GREENVILLE - Week three of the Challenger season featured a beautiful morning for baseball.

In the opener the Cubs took on the Orioles. Christina Woodruff celebrated her birthday with a big hit. Antwan Murphy and Bella Davis both showed just great promise with their enthusiasm for the game. The Orioles were led by lead off hitter Joseph Geiger.  Jonathan Howard got a late start but ended up being the O’s home run hitter in the first inning. Tashawn Williams enjoyed a great game with not one, but two buddies helping him get a great hit for the game.

The Athletics played a great game Saturday against the Marlins.  Dylan Armstrong ripped two hits, while Isaac Wiggins had two Grand Slams.  The Athletics were lead in the field by a great pitching performance by Tristan Topping and fielding performance by Chris Murphey.

The last game of the day pitted the Tigers against the Braves. The Braves had a great day. The Tigers were led by first year players Kaila Lietz two hits on two swings, and Trevor Barnes a force with the bat and in the field.

East Carolina’s baseball team will host the Challenger division this Sunday at Clark-LeClair Stadium at 2pm. Please come out and support the Challenger division on what is always a very special day!

Challenger Game Stories for Week 2 -  Thanks to Brian Bailey for this week's Challenger Game Stories.

GREENVILLE - The first “official” week of individual team play featured an outstanding day of baseball for the Challenger division this past Saturday.

In the opener, the Reds showed more power as several players really showed off their skills. The Marlins were just as tough and these two teams put on a great show.

In the second game the Cubs battled the Athletics. The Cub’s Rachel Vanderweit swung at her first pitch in two years to the delight of the big crowd. Her smile grew wider as she hustled to first after getting a little help with her hit. Antwan Murphy was a pistol as well for the Cubs.

For the A’s, Marianna Stanley ripped two hits and the defense was lead by a pair of great performances by siblings.  Jennifer and Heather Choate held down the middle infield, while Jay and Lucas Mebane made sure nothing got by them at third base.


The Orioles faced off against the Braves in the third game of the day. Jonathan Clark of the Orioles got his first unassisted hit, knocking one fair down the first baseline before making it to first base. Elliot Dupree played in his very first ever Challenger game. When asked if he had a good time and if he'd be back next week he said, "Yea!". Shaun Williams was the Orioles heavy hitter clearing the bases twice as the home run hitter for both innings.


For the Braves, Catherine Armstrong made her first appearance of the season and had a great game at third base.  Ronald Williams had his first solo (unassisted) hit of the season.  Finally, Alice Godley took extra batting practice before the game and kept the hits coming as she went three for three in the game.


The last game of the day pitted the Tigers and Priates which proved to be a great game. Amber Suggs in her first year led the Tigers with two hits, and Antony Allee had a great defensive game for the Tigers.

OPENING DAY GAME STORY FROM CHALLENGER DIVISION 

GREENVILLE – The 2009 Challenger baseball season opened on Saturday with a grand ceremony to start and a doubleheader of baseball that followed.

Greenville Little Leagues Commissioner Brian Weingartz welcomed the many players, parents and Challenger supporters on Saturday morning. Greenville Mayor Pat Dunn gave a speech of encouragement.

The parents and supporters then gathered on both sides of Sarah Vaughn Lane to welcome each one of the Challenger teams. The players paraded down the hill and onto the “Field of Dreams”.

Greenville Director of Recreation and Parks Gary Fenton was a part of the “welcoming committee” at the bottom of the hill.

East Carolina baseball coach Billy Godwin then threw out the first pitch to officially begin the Challenger baseball season.

The eight teams doubled up for the first week of play, which featured a great doubleheader. The opener saw the Pirates and Braves take on the Tigers and Marlins. In the second game, the Cubs and Orioles hooked up to take on the Reds and the Athletics.

The highlight of the day came in the second game, when Reds stars Cody Knox and C.J. Williams hit home runs over the fence.

Week 2 of the season features four games this Saturday beginning at 9:00 AM at the Sarah Vaughn Field at Elm Street Park 

Thanks to Brian Bailey for this week's Challenger game story.

To see the full Challenger game schedule click on the "schedules" link.

The Challenger Division was started by Greenville Little Leagues in 2005 to allow special needs children a chance to participate in our National Pastime.  The Challenger Division in Greenville is and has been administered by volunteers who are a part of the Greenville Little Leagues.  Many volunteers have spent many hours making the Challenger Division into the finest league of it's kind in Eastern North Carolina.  From it's humble beginnings of 4 teams and approximately 25 players the Challenger Division has grown to have eight teams with nearly 100 players participating on a weekly basis.  With the help and support of Greenville Recreation and Parks Department, Greenville Little Leagues and it's Challenger Division will continue to thrive for years to come.  Additional information regarding Challenger can be obtained by e-mailing Greenville Little Leagues Commissioner Brian Weingartz at baawein@aol.com or calling 341-5680.