Rivermont Thunderwave 9U all star team poses with Dizzy Dean Baseball World Series trophy and banner in Southaven, Miss. From back left, coach John Dorough, coach Keith Rawlston, coach Scott McDaniel, coach Matt Phillips, Jared Holloway, Liam Wunderlich, Hudson Wadley, Eli Loveless, Patrick Donnelly, Mays Rawlston, Hank McDaniel, Luke Phillips.
Rivermont Thunderwave 9U all star team celebrates after winning the Dizzy Dean Baseball World series in Southaven, Miss.
Dizzy Dean Baseball 9U World Series all tournament team members, from left Mays Rawlston, Hank McDaniel, Levi Dorough, Liam Wunderlich, and tournament MVP Hudson Wadley.
With an 11-1 win over the Southaven All Stars on Monday morning, Rivermont’s 9U all star team did something that’s never been done in the history of their home park—capture a Dizzy Dean World Series Championship.
With Monday’s decisive championship game win, the Rivermont Thunderwave capped an undefeated run through the tournament, outscoring their opponents 64-14 in total.
“The boys played their hearts out and really earned it,” said Thunderwave head coach, Keith Rawlston. “They set this goal for themselves at our very first practice of the year, and I am so proud of what they have been able to accomplish as a team.”
Rivermont’s victory is the first Dizzy Dean Baseball World Series title for a local team in any age division since Middle Valley’s 7U All Stars won in 2017, and Chattanooga’s first title in any of the kid-pitch divisions since 2007.
“We’re very excited for these boys, their coaches, and their families,” said Rivermont Park Director, Evan Hughes. “They have worked very hard all summer and have made all of us at Rivermont Youth Athletic Association very proud.”
The Thunderwave were led by catcher, Hudson Wadley, who earned tournament MVP honors for his work behind the plate and with the bat.
Rivermont also placed four players on the all-tournament team, including shortstop Levi Dorough, second baseman Mays Rawlston, third baseman Hank McDaniel and left fielder Liam Wunderlich.
The World Series roster also featured center fielder Eli Loveless, first baseman Luke Phillips, right fielder Patrick Donnelly and starting pitcher Jared Holloway.
“What these guys have done on the field has been impressive,” said Coach Rawlston, “but more importantly, they are all awesome kids who are just fun to be around.”
This was the second consecutive trip to Southaven for the Thunderwave, who played their way into the quarterfinals of last year’s Dizzy Dean 8U World Series.
“I can’t say enough good things about this tournament,” Coach Rawlston said. “Dizzy Dean and the city of Southaven really go all out to make this a first class experience for the kids, and for us to be able to end the year as Champions is just icing on the cake. This is a memory these boys and their families will cherish for the rest of their lives.”