Licking youth share experience on 13U National Championship team

By Shari Harris, Publisher

Young athletes and their families are well aware of the busy weeks of sports that fill the short summer months. Two Licking youth added to their summer baseball schedules when they were selected to play on the Team Missouri 13U team at the USSSA National Tournament in Indianapolis, Ind.

Jasper Rodgers and Trapper Adey were on the ten-member team, along with Rocky Gilbert, of Houston; Lucas Casas, of Mountain Grove; Isaiah Shepherd, of Salem; Kameron Brent, of Camdenton; Kelby Watts, of Camdenton; Jacob Hollandsworth, of Linn Creek; Jackson Lile, of Adrian; and Benny Wells, of Kokomo, Ind. Coaches for the all-star team were Lucas Adey, of Licking, and assistants Caleb Shepherd, of Salem, and Conway Adey, of Licking. Jasper Rodgers is the son of Josh Rodgers and Jaime Tripp, of Licking; Trapper Adey is the son of Lucas and Ashley Adey, of Licking.

Team Missouri 13U played seven games in the National Tournament, going undefeated (3-0) in pool play and losing one to the USSSA team in bracket play, which was double elimination. Team Missouri and the USSSA team both advanced to the finals, and in order to win the tournament, Team Missouri had to get two consecutive wins against USSSA. Their back-to-back wins secured them the title of National Tournament 13U Champions.

Scores in pool play were Missouri v. Arizona 8-0, Missouri v. Colorado 5-4, Missouri v. Virginia 13-7. Bracket scores were Missouri v. Indiana 11-3, Missouri v. USSSA 2-4, Missouri v. California 9-2, Missouri v. USSSA 12-2, and Missouri v. USSA 5-3.

Teams in the tournament were composed of all-star players from the respective state, with the USSSA team composed of youth from states that did not have enough players to have a team. Team Missouri added an all-star player from Indiana to their team because one player was unable to make the trip with them.

Jasper Rodgers, who will be in eighth grade this year at Licking Junior High School, also plays on the 417 Baseball team out of Springfield during the summer. He bats and throws left, pitches and plays outfield. He pitched at the National Tournament in the Colorado game. Rodgers believes he hit two doubles and a couple of singles in the first championship game, and a couple of doubles and some singles in the final game.

Rodgers said he enjoyed reuniting with some of his teammates from last year (when they played on the Team Missouri 12U team). He looks forward to playing again next year on the 14U team and defending the team’s title. Next year’s tournament will be in Louisiana.

He referred to going to the National Tournament as his vacation. His family went to the Top Golf driving range in Indianapolis, and to the Indianapolis Speedway museum, which is located in the center of the speedway. He explained that you have to drive under the track to get to the museum. Also located in the center of the track is a golf course. The museum experience included a reaction test and a race car simulator. He also was able to see old race cars at the museum.

During the summer, Trapper Adey plays for the Mid Mo Cats (Lucas Adey coaches the team) and fills in some for other teams. He bats and throws right. Adey hit .368 for the tournament with five RBIs on seven hits, all singles. He had six strikeouts in three innings pitched.

Adey also went to Top Golf while in Indianapolis, and was able to do some fishing at a lake in a nearby park. He enjoyed playing against a variety of states, and good quality competition.

Coach Adey commented on the quality of the athletes in the competition, including 13-year-old pitchers throwing 84 mph. Team Missouri had three boys who hit the ball over the fence, 260’ or better, for home runs.

Team Missouri 12U finished in fifth place in the 12U tournament. Local players on their team included: Miles Morgan, of Cabool; Waylon Reed, of Licking; Jude Smith, of Houston; and Ryker Wilson, of Houston. Their head coach is Dustin Smith, of Houston; assistant coaches are Matt Morgan, of Cabool; and Aaron Wilson, of Cabool.

Team Missouri 14U placed third in the 14U tournament. Local players included: Griffin Aaron, of Cabool; Karson McCain, of Houston; Knox McCloy, of Success; Blake Sanders, of Raymondville; Stryker Sloan, of Houston; Gage Smith, of Houston; and Tucker Venn, of Houston. Their head coach was Conaley Aaron, of Cabool; and assistant coaches were Jerome Martin, of East Peoria, Illinois; and Jasper McCloy, of Success.