The Johnston County town of Benson will be the host site for the 2024 Tarheel Leagues Inc. State Softball Tournaments, which are scheduled to begin on Thursday and end on Sunday, weather permitting.
Three all-star teams representing Tar River Softball are hoping to bring home some hardware from the double-elimination events after capturing THL District 4 championships a couple of weeks ago.
The double-elimination tournament will have four sites for games: Dr. P.K. Vyas Community Park (312 S. Lee St.), Benson Civic Center (1204 N. Johnson St.), Benson Middle School (1600 N. Wall St.) and South Johnston High School (10381 U.S. 301 South, Four Oaks).
Tar River’s 8U all-star team opens its bracket at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday against Laurinburg on Field 4 at Vyas Community Park. A win moves the local all-stars into the semifinal round at 11:30 a.m. on Friday against the Shelby-Cleveland winner.
If Tar River loses its first-round game, it will play against the Wilkes County-Johnston County East contest at 10 a.m. on Friday.
Members of the Tar River 8U team are Ava Hudgins, Lylllian Langley, Essence Adams, Taytum Mills, Lila Murray, Aubri Macklin, Jayden Jenkins, Addison Melvin, Peyton Marshall, Chandler Sykes, Taylor Richardson and Kinsey Strickland. They will be directed by head coach Brooke Sykes and assistant coaches Terrell Hudgins, Luke Murray and Cody Melvin.
Tar River’s 12U softball squad will open its bracket at 4 p.m. on Thursday against Western Harnett at Benson Middle School.
If Tar River wins its first game, it will play at 10 a.m. on Friday against the winner of Williamston-Johnston County Central on Field 2 at Vyas Community Park.
A loss in the first contest means Tar River would drop into the elimination bracket, where it would play the Williamston-Johnston County Central loser on Field 2 at Vyas Community Park at 12 p.m. on Friday.
Members of the Tar River 12U all-star team are Alivia Richardson, Emily Pate, Semajah West, Laci Warren, Ellie Gorham, Addison Tisdale, Peyton Hagans, Genay Bobbit, Ava Kelly, Caroline Bulluck and Zakhiyah Morgan. They will be directed by head coach Dana Kelly and assistant coaches John Michael Kelly and Jimmy Pate.
The Tar River 16U all-star team will open its bracket at 6 p.m. on Thursday against Roanoke Valley on Field 1 at Vyas Community Park.
If the locals win, they would play their semifinal contest against the winner of Johnston County-Western Harnett at 10 a.m. on Friday at South Johnston High School.
A first-round loss would drop Tar River into the elimination bracket, where it would face the Johnston County-Western Harnett loser at 12 p.m. on Friday at South Johnston High School.
Tar River 16U team members are Jenna Antil, Savannah Phillips, Hailey Mackey, Claire Keeter, Kathryn Bulluck, Jessica Sessoms, Sommer Turner, Jordyn Harvin, Bailey Ingram, Ta’mya Kiefer and Erica Jones. They will be directed by head coach Brigiette Small and assistant coaches Jaz Wiggins and Cecilia Thorpe.
Weather permitting, elimination games would continue on Saturday and possibly into Sunday. The team advancing to the finals in each bracket only has to win one game in order to capture a state title; the team arriving from the consolation bracket has to win the first championship game to force the ‘if necessary’ contest for the championship.
The Girls Softball State Championship Tournament will begin with opening ceremonies at 1 p.m. on Thursday, July 1 on the South Johnston High School football field.
Benson Mayor Jerry Medlin and Benson Town Manager Kim Pickett will welcome everyone, and Pastor Michael Preddy of Hodges Chapel Church will give the invocation.
The National Anthem will be performed by Amber Pittman, and Tarheel Leagues Inc. spokesperson Mack McLeod will give some remarks.
Aaron Anderson, Athletic Supervisor for Benson Parks and Recreation, will announce the teams, and the ceremonial opening pitch will be thrown by Dr. P.K. Vyas.
Concessions will be available at all four playing field locations.
Tickets are $7 for adults (ages 13-up), $4 for children (7-12) and ages 6 and under will be admitted free.
Inclement weather is expected to impact the daily scheduling of the tournament. Fans are urged to check the league website, www.tarheelleagues.com, for updates.
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