Leland 8 and under baseball team heading to Dixie Youth World Series in Mississippi

LELAND, NC (WWAY) — Earlier this month the Leland Dixie Youth baseball team won the 8 & under state baseball championship in Tabor City. The team from Leland is now gearing up for the Dixie Youth 8 & under World Series in Mississippi. Leland’s first game is set for Saturday, July 30. “We went to Tabor City and won a state championship,” head coach Jeremy Skipper told WWAY on Monday.  “It was exciting, all the boys are pretty excited to go to Mississippi. They have worked really hard for it and they deserve it. We play Virginia first. We’re in a pool with Virginia and Laurel, Mississippi.” There will be 12 teams in the tournament. Only 8 will advance out of pool play into the championship bracket. 

“It felt good for the third baseman to catch that foul ball,” shortstop Michael Peterson said.  “The bases were loaded, two outs, 3-2 pitch because you had to swing so it was a lot of pressure and I about had a heart attack. It’s going to be a lot of pressure, but I think we can win it.”

12 teams will compete this coming weekend at the 8 and under World Series Tournament in Mississippi. Michael Peterson knows that where he’s heading, but he’s not quite sure where he’s going. “um, it’s down, kinda not really. I’m just going there to play.”