The 12U Powder Springs Indians recently won the Dizzy Dean Invitational State Championship for their age group, following on the heels of the Powder Springs Seminoles becoming the Dizzy Dean Invitational State Champions a month ago in the 7 and under category.

The Seminoles, coached by Wade Baker, are composed of 12 players with “most all players from the Powder Springs and Hiram area.”

In the Dizzy Dean Invitational, the Seminoles competed in a 22-team bracket, finishing 7-1 in the tournament, beating the Macedonia Mustangs of Canton 12-11.

“The games started off horrible. They held us to no runs in the first and went on to score seven,” said Baker, skipping to the last inning. “They were up 11-6. We came up in our half inning and scored six runs to go up by one run. Then we had to go out and shut Macedonia down and we did.”

Baker said his entire team contributed to the championship, but he did note an “awesome” game-ending play by shortstop William Alexander to defeat Alpharetta before playing Macedonia for the title.

The Indians are coached by Thomas McFarland. The team is made up of 11 players from Douglasville, Marietta, Paulding, Powder Springs and Rockmart.

The Indians played in a 12-team bracket and finished undefeated 5-0. For the championship, the Indians defeated the Sandy Plains Cougars 11-5.

McFarland noted several star players during the championship.

“Jacob Bloedow pitched an impressive 4.67 innings with seven strikeouts and only allowing one hit. He also batted .750 with one home run. I had four players hit with a .500 average also; Jake Brown, Sean McFarland, Garrison Reily and David Hudgens,” McFarland said.

Prior to these Invitational State Championships, the Indians practiced two to three times a week.

The Seminoles, however, practiced three to four times a week, for at least two hours.

“Our practices are long. This isn’t something that is usually planned. When we start practicing it is hard to get the players off the field. We can practice a solid two and a half to three hours and the Seminoles are upset with me when I end practice. They would stay all night,” said Baker.