Carter leads Williamsburg Post 39 to fourth straight District 3 title

Williamsburg Post 39 clinched 4th straight District 3 tourney title.

By John Harvey

HarveySports757@yahoo.com

Austin Carter had 3 hits and drove in 3 runs.

JAMES CITY – Austin Carter didn’t get a chance to represent Williamsburg Post 39 at last year’s state tournament.

The Jamestown High product helped clinch the Wildflowers ticket Wednesday night during a 14-1 victory over Poquoson Post 273 in the District 3 championship game.

Carter was a table-setter at the top of the order, going 3-for-4 with 3 RBI and two runs scored as Post 39 clinched its fourth straight district tournament title.

“Our goal is to win states,” Carter said. “We want it bad and we have been chasing after it all year. We feel like we have a great chance. This group has played together since we were in (youth) league, so it means a lot. Especially, since this is the last time we could possibly be playing together.”

Williamsburg was nothing short of dominant in the district tournament, outscoring their opposition 40-5 in three straight wins.

A key cog in Post 39’s success was coach Thomas Richardson’s decision to insert Carter as the team’s leadoff hitter. In three tournament games, he was 6-for-13 with six runs scored and 5 RBI in three games.

“I’ve been doing my best to stay back on the ball and drive it back up the middle and to the right side,” Carter said. “Our goal is to score as many runs as possible early on in the games.”

The offense has been contagious for Post 39. Collan Cryts had two hits with a pair of runs scored and drove in two from the No. 8 hole. Thomas Richardson went 2-for-3 with 2 runs and an RBI as the last batter in the lineup.

Six different players drove in runs on Wednesday night and seven of the scored runs. Michael Brumfield had two hits and scored two run. Mikey Anerton added two hits and a run scored. Matt Smith scored three runs and Solomon McCray drove in two. Jake Countiss also scored twice.

Williamsburg was just as impressive on the mound. Kent Klyman allowed one run on five hits and struck out 10 to pick up the win. Blake Wills allowed one hit in a scoreless inning of relief.

Williamsburg Post 39 will advance to next week’s Virginia State America Legion senior baseball tournament July 28-Aug. 2 at Fireman’s Fields in Purcellville near Leesburg.

Harvey can be reached at HarveySports757@yahoo.com or via Twitter at @HarveySports757,