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Last updated
11-23-09 08:00 PM
Knoxville Stars 14's - 2009
Tim Crowe
865-988-7179
Knoxville, Tennessee

 
Stars 14's: 2003 Memory Lane
Stars 14's

A Trip Down 2003 Memory Lane
We hope you enjoy our 2003 Memory Lane page. Take a trip down memory lane where you can re-live the then Stars 8's, successful 2003 season. You can read about all the great tournament wins, the undefeated Knoxville Area Roberto Clemente Open League championship run, the AABC and USSSA State Championship wins, and the 3rd place finish in the AABC Southeast Regional Tournament on the way to an overall season record of 51-6!

Centerfield

Stars 8's place 3rd in AABC Southeast Regional Tournament
The Stars 8's travelled to McDonough, GA July 16-20, 2003 for the AABC Southeast Regional Tournament. The Stars 8's 3-2 record in the tournament earned them a 3rd place finish.

The Stars 8's lost their opening game 15-11 to an excellent Jacksonville, FL Thunder team on Thursday. However the Stars 8's came back strong. On Friday the Stars 8's won 21-6 over the McDonough, GA Yankees. Then in their second Friday game, the Stars 8's won 6-3 over a very talented and well coached Gresham Park, GA Red Sox team.

On Saturday the Stars 8's faced their most difficult challenge of the year in a matchup with the AABC Georgia State Champion Browns Mill, GA Jackets. The game was played at 12 noon in 92 degree heat. The game was perhaps the most exciting 8 year old game ever played. The game featured several momentum changes, including a great come from behind victory. There were many great defensive plays by both teams, great pitching, and several home runs, including 2 dramatic home runs by the Stars 8's to tie the game. The Stars 8's trailed 10-1 after 1 inning, but battled back time after time for 2 1/2 hours for an incredible 8 inning 14-13 win.

This win put the Stars 8's in the final 3 with all 3 teams standing with 1 loss. Unfortunately, the Stars 8's were forced to play their second Saturday game immediately following the emotionally and physically draining win over the Browns Mill, GA Jackets. The Stars lost their final game to a talented, yet very unprofessionally coached North Henry, GA Red Sox team. The North Henry Red Sox coaches lacked class and sportsmanship and it was recognized by all of their opponents and umpires. Their behavior turned out to be the only negative to an otherwise wonderful tournament. The Browns Mill, GA Jackets went on to beat the North Henry, GA Red Sox and win the tournament.

So with that, the Stars 8's placed 3rd in the AABC Southeast Regional Tournament. Congratulations to Ben Breazeale, Drake Byrd, Wil Crowe, Matt Cunningham, Kevin Elliott, Micah Hodge, Dakota Hudson, Christian Kidd, Hagen Owenby, Ben Redden and Josh Babcock.

The tournament also featured a Home Run Derby with all 8 teams entering three players for a total of 24 participants. Dakota Hudson, Matt Cunningham and Drake Byrd represented the Stars 8's. Dakota, Matt and Drake all three made it to the second round which trimmed the field to 8 players. Drake Byrd went on to tie for 1st place.

It was a wonderful trip for the Stars 8's players, parents and fans.

Congratulations Stars 8's on a great season!

Stars 8's 2003 AABC Roberto Clemente State Champions!
State Champions
2003 AABC State Champions
The Stars 8's won the 2003 AABC State Championship July 10th - 13th in Knoxville, TN.

The Stars 8's opened the AABC State Tournament Thursday with a 10-2 win over the Farragut Pirates. Then on Friday, the Stars 8's racked up a 10-2 win over the Kingsport Sullivan Pirates, followed by a 30-0 win over the Halls Alley Cats. On Saturday, the Stars 8's cruised through the winner's bracket final with a 15-1 win over the Knoxville Yankees. The Stars 8's advanced to the Championship Round on Sunday. The Stars 8's beat the Colonial Heights Rebels 8-0 in a natural pairings game. That win placed the Stars 8's in the Championship Finals that same afternoon against the Knoxville Yankees.

In the Championship Game, the Stars 8's jumped out to a 9-3 lead after 3 innings. Then lightning, thunder and rain took control of the game. After a 2 1/2 hour delay the game resumed and The Stars 8's offense errupted. The Stars 8's beat the Knoxville Yankees 28-6 in the final.

The Stars 8's completed their championship run with a perfect 6-0 record. The Stars 8's scored 101 runs on 89 hits and 8 home runs. The Stars 8's played error free defense. The Stars 8's marched 8 different pitchers to the hill who gave up only 11 earned runs in 25 innings. Once again, the Stars 8's demonstrated great team play.

The Stars 8's, with a record of 48-4, will now represent the State of Tennessee in the AABC Southeast Regional July 17-20 in McDonough, GA. The Stars 8's would like to congratulate the Knoxville Yankees on earning the State Runner Up trophies and wish them well as they also travel to McDonough, GA to participate in the regional.

Congratulations Ben Breazeale, Drake Byrd, Wil Crowe, Matt Cunningham, Cade Davis, Kevin Elliott, Micah Hodge, Dakota Hudson, Christian Kidd, Hagen Owenby, Ben Redden and Wesley Raney - State Champions!

Stars 8's Win USSSA State Championship
USSSA State
The Stars 8's won the USSSA State Championship June 27-29, 2003.

The Stars 8's eased through pool play with three convincing wins by a combined score of 47-3.

The Championship Game on Sunday afternoon was anything but easy. The Stars 8's faced a tough Crieve Hall Sharks team from Nashville for the 6 inning final. The Sharks jumped out to a 5-2 lead in the 1st inning. Innings 2, 3 and 4 turned into a pitching and defensive duel with no runs scored by either team. Facing a 5-2 deficit going to the bottom of the 5th inning, the Stars 8's found themselves with their backs against the wall. Then it happened. Mighty Casey came to bat. Basically batting though the entire order, the Stars 8's connected for 5 long-awaited runs in the bottom of the 5th to take a 7-5 lead into the final inning. In the top of the 6th, the Sharks went to work. The Sharks scored a run, and with one out and runners on 2nd and 3rd the score-board read Stars 7 - Sharks 6. The tension was incredible. One swing of the bat later, the Stars 8's turned a 4-3-2 double play with a game-ending tag out at the plate. The Stars 8's players, coaches, parents and fans went crazy. The Final score, Stars 7 - Sharks 6.

The Stars 8's win was a result of excellent pitching, solid defense, timely hitting and foremost great team play. Congratulations to: Ben Breazeale, Drake Byrd, Wil Crowe, Matt Cunnigham, Cade Davis, Kevin Elliott, Micah Hodge, Dakota Hudson, Christian Kidd, Hagen Owenby, Ben Redden and Wesley Raney - USSSA State Champions!

Stars 8's - 2003 Knoxville Area Open League Champions
The Stars 8's wrapped up 1st place in the Knoxville Area AABC Roberto Clemente Open League with a win over the Knoxville Impact Gold on Tuesday night, June 24th.

The Stars 8's played a great game beating a solid Impact Gold team 7-0. The game featured very strong pitching by Wil "Big Mac" Crowe, who threw 3 shutout innings with 8 strikeouts and allowing only one hit. Drake "Big Country" Byrd and Dakota "Wild Thing" Hudson finished out the pitching duties and maintained the one hit shutout. The Stars 8's played solid defense, including a pretty 6-4 put-out by Micah "Bib" Hodge to Ben "Bulldog" Breazeale in the final inning. Matt "Superman" Cunningham sparked the offense with a 1st inning 2 run Home Run over the left center-field fence.

The Stars 8's finished the league with a perfect 9-0 record and have qualified for the AABC State Tournament July 10-13th.

Congratulations Stars 8's!

Stars 8's Win Early Bird N.I.T. USSSA World Series Qualifier
Stars at Ftn City
April 13, 2003
The Stars 8's won the Diamond Sports Early Bird N.I.T. April 11th - 13th. The Stars 8's rolled through the tournament with 4 straight victories.

In the final against the Knoxville Yard Dogs, lead-off hitter Micah Hodge got things started in the 1st inning with a home run shot over the left field fence. The Stars 8's played their best game of the young season with strong pitching from Wil Crowe and Dakota Hudson, solid batting, and error free defense to secure an impressive 14-0 win.

Along with the tournament champions trophy and medals, the Stars 8's earned a spot in the USSSA World Series to be held July 15th - 20th in Kansas City, Missouri. Congratulation Stars 8's!

Stars 8's Win Greenville Marlins' April Showers Tournament
April Showers 2003
April 27, 2003
The Stars 8's won the Greeneville Marlins' April Showers Tournament April 25th - 27th, 2003. The Stars 8's rolled through the tournament with 5 straight victories by scoring a total of 52 runs and allowing their oppenents a combined 4 runs.

In the Championship Game against the Greeneville Marlins, the Stars 8's played a nearly perfect game. Some of the highlights included: awesome pitching with some serious heat from Wil Crowe and some wicked change-ups from Matt Cunningham; consistent team hitting; and, error free defense. The solid defensive effort included 2 fly-balls caught in right field by Christian Kidd. The defensive play of the game may have been a spectacular play by Drake Byrd at 1st base in which he had to dive and tag the bag to beat the runner and secure the out. The Stars 8's won the game 6-0 to avenge their only loss of the season to an outstanding Greeneville Marlins team.

Congratulations Stars 8's on a great weekend!

Stars 8's Win 1st Annual Volunteer Classic at Caswell Park
Volunteer Classic
May 4, 2003
The Stars 8's won the 1st Annual Volunteer Classic at beautiful Caswell Park in downtown Knoxville May 2-4, 2003. The Stars 8's rolled through another tournament with 5 straight victories.

The Stars 8's weekend was highlighted by offensive production. The Stars 8's racked up 50 hits, including a team high 9 by Drake Byrd. The Stars 8's crushed 7 Home Runs, including 3 by Dakota Hudson, 2 by Wesley Raney, and 1 each by Hagen Owenby and Matt Cunningham. The Stars 8's rolled up 61 runs.

In the Championship Game, the Stars 8's found themselves once again facing a great Greeneville Marlins 8's team. The Marlins jumped out to an early 3-0 lead in the 1st inning. The Stars 8's refused to lay down and the rally cry began. Drake Byrd stroked a 2 out line drive to right center field, knocking in 2 runs and drawing the Stars 8's to a 4-3 deficit after 3 innings. From there, the Stars 8's took control of the game. Dakota Hudson blasted a Grand Slam Home Run in the 4th inning and put the Stars 8's into the lead. Matt Cunningham threw 3 great shut-out innings in the 4th, 5th and 6th and got the win on the mound. The 11-4 win elevated the Stars 8's season record to 21-1.

Congratulations Stars 8's on a great weekend!

Stars 8's Win Simply The Best World Series Qualifier
McDounough Win
May 25, 2003
The Stars 8's travelled to McDonough, GA for the Memorial Holiday "Simply The Best World Series Qualifier" Tournament May 23-25, 2003. The Stars 8's rolled through the tournament with a perfect 4-0 record against some great Georgia teams.

The Stars 8's weekend was highlighted by outstanding "team play". Everyone made significant contributions throughout the entire tournament allowing the Stars 8's to beat the Gresham Park Red Sox, McDonough White Sox, McDonough Angels and McDonough Bulldogs.

In the Championship game against the McDonough Bulldogs, the Stars 8's played a great game. Drake Byrd got the win on the mound by pitching 3 spectacular innings. Kevin Elliott, Ben Redden and Matt Cunningham all went 2 for 3 at the plate. Matt Cunningham popped a Home Run and had 3 RBI's in the game. Christian Kidd added a very timely 2 RBI single in the 6th inning to give the Stars 8's a little extra cushion. Dakota Hudson closed it out with 3 solid innings of pitching. The 8-4 victory pushed the Stars 8's season record to 26-1 and qualified them for the Simply The Best World Series, July 15-20, 2003 in Panama City, FL.

The Stars 8's capped a great road trip with a stop at Turner Field on Memorial Day to watch the Atlanta Braves play the Cincinnati Reds. Unfortunately the Braves did not fare as well as the Stars 8's.

Congratulations Stars 8's on a great weekend!

Stars 2003 Kick-Off Banquet a Success
The Knoxville Stars Annual Kick-Off Banquet was held Wednesday evening, February 19th at the Knoxville Expo Center. Each Knoxville Stars' team introduced coaches and players. Guest speaker Darin Wilson, Head Baseball Coach and Athletics Director for Union College, offered some great advise for coaches, parents and players. Everyone seemed to have a great time and left eager to play baseball.


 
 
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