Wilson City Little League All-Stars secured a commanding 15-7 victory over Virginia’s Vienna American Little League on Sunday, advancing to the elimination round of the Little League Baseball Southeast Region Ages 8-10 Tournament of State Champions.
The offensive onslaught was sparked by Preston Staton, whose two three-run homers in as many days helped swing the momentum. His second blast came in the third inning, capping a rally that saw Wilson plate five runs in the opening frame and seven more in the third.
Wilson’s early barrage was not merely a flash of power; it was underpinned by a relentless attack that left the opposition reeling. The team capitalized on eight defensive miscues by Vienna American, turning errors into extra bases and runs.
Key Moments
The North Carolina representative had opened the tournament with a narrow 4-3 win over Florida’s Niceville-Valparaiso Little League on Saturday, a game that demonstrated the squad’s resilience and ability to execute under pressure.
Both Wilson City and North Carolina champion Greenville Tar Heel remained unbeaten after Sunday’s action, setting up a pivotal showdown on Monday. Wilson will meet South Carolina’s Northwood Little League at 9 a.m., while Greenville is scheduled to face West Virginia’s Elk District of Pinch at 2:30 p.m.
The final day of pool play carries significant implications, as a win for Northwood could propel them into the elimination bracket, while Niceville-Valparaiso looks to solidify its position by defeating Tennessee’s Clarksville National.
On the mound, Wilson showcased a balanced pitching rotation. Starter Gibson Lucas delivered 2 ⅓ scoreless innings before handing the ball to Bennett Lee, who finished the game 3-for-3 at the plate and contributed solid relief work.
Finn Mariani entered in the fourth inning with a 12-0 lead, and Manning Hare closed out the sixth with a perfect 1-2-3 frame after a stint in the outfield, underscoring the depth of the pitching staff.
Nash Salter added a decisive RBI single in the later innings, sealing the final run of the contest and providing a fitting capstone to a game that featured a blend of power, precision, and opportunistic hitting.