'The Thundering 13': All you want to know about the Lufkin Little League All-Stars
EAST TEXAS (KTRE) - Six 12-year-olds. Seven 13-year-olds. They've stolen not only the hearts of all in Lufkin, not only Angelina County, but East Texas. They're the Lufkin Little League All-Stars.
Eight of the players go to school in Lufkin. Four are from Hudson and another is from Diboll.
The all-stars are comprised of the best players from a round of league play, which included seven teams. Once league play was over, an all-star team was selected, as it was in hundreds of other regions around the world. Those all-star teams have been playing different qualifying tournaments to get to the Little League World Series. Lufkin won four different tournaments to get to where they are now. Not only did they win every tournament, they did so without losing a single game. They took a 30-0 win in one game.
The team left for Williamsport, Pa., on Saturday and will play their first game on Thursday at 6 p.m. If they win, they'll play at 10 a.m. Sunday. If they lose for the first time this year, they'll play Saturday at 2 p.m.
Lufkin is guaranteed to play at least three games. If they lose the first two, they're eliminated in the tournament. However, they would play a consolation game Monday at 10 a.m.
While this is a team sport, the Lufkin All-Stars are comprised of 13 different individuals. In case you're curious about who they are, where they're from and what they like to do, below is a profile on each player. You may notice a common theme from the words of their coach, Bud Maddux.
Chip Buchanan
From the coach: "Pitcher, third baseman, first baseman. Real hard worker and good boy."
Parents: Jeff and Heather Buchanan
Age: 13
School: Lufkin
Hobbies: Fishing, sports and board games
Favorite baseball players: Brandon Belt and Jose Altuve
Southwest Regional highlight: Induced three outs on two pitches to get save in 2-1 win over Texas West in final game.
Malcolm Deason
From the coach: "Plays second base and pitches for us. Malcolm's a fine man and works real hard."
Parents: Malcolm and Sonjua Deason
Age: 12
School: Lufkin
Hobbies: Hunting, fishing, sports, having fun
Favorite baseball players: Brandon Belt and Ozzie Smith
Southwest Regional highlight: Scored winning run in Saturday win over Texas West.
Charlie Deaton
From the coach: "Catcher, outfielder. Hard worker and fine young man."
Parents: Ryan and Jennifer Deaton
Age: 12
School: Lufkin
Hobbies: Hunting and fishing
Favorite baseball player: Jose Altuve
Southwest Regional highlight: Three-run double in Saturday win over Texas West.
Hunter Ditsworth
From the coach: "Pitcher, infielder, outfielder. Does a little bit of everything. He's a fine man and hard worker."
Parents: Michael and Veronica Ditsworth
Age: 13
School: Lufkin
Hobbies: Sports, eating, sleeping
Favorite baseball player: Brandon Belt
Southwest Regional highlight: Winning pitcher in first and last games, allowing two total runs and striking out 22.
Kolby Kovar
From the coach: "Outfielder. Throws left and bats left. Works real hard and fine young man."
Parents: Shane and Stephanie Kovar
Age: 13
School: Lufkin
Hobbies: Practicing
Favorite baseball players: Brandon Belt and Mike Trout
Southwest Regional highlight: Went 1-for-1 in win over Colorado and scored a run.
Lance Modisette
From the coach: "Outfielder. Bats right, throws right. Hard worker and great young man."
Parents: Kim Noble and Brent Modisette
Age: 12
School: Lufkin
Hobbies: Gaming, baseball
Favorite baseball player: Brandon Belt
Southwest Regional highlight: Went 1-for-1 in win over Colorado.
Christian Mumphery
From the coach: "He's an outfielder. Throws left, bats left. Fine young man, hard worker."
Parents: Shata Specks and JaMarkus Mumphery
Age: 13
School: Lufkin
Hobbies: Playing sports
Favorite baseball player: Brandon Belt
Southwest Regional Highlight: Two-run single in win over Louisiana.
Zack Phipps
From the coach: "Zach's an outfield. Bats left, throws right. Hard working man and a good boy."
Parents: Keith and Brandie Robins
Age: 12
School: Diboll
Hobbies: Sports
Favorite baseball player: Brandon Belt
Southwest Regional highlight: Went 1-for-1 and scored a run in win over Texas West.
Mark Requena
From the coach: "Mark pitches, plays third and first. Fine young man. Real hard worker."
Parents: Oscar Requena and Margie Solis
Age: 12
School: Lufkin
Hobbies: Ride bikes
Favorite baseball player: Jose Altuve
Southwest Regional highlight: Batted .300 in tournament.
Collin Ross
From the coach: "Pitcher, infielder, outfielder. Real fine young man and works hard."
Parents: Jeremy and Amy Ross
Age: 12
School: Hudson
Hobbies: Talking to girls
Favorite baseball player: Brandon Belt
Southwest Regional highlight: Pitched five shutout innings in win over Lousiana.
Blake Slaga
From the coach: "Blake is shortstop. Can pitch if we need him. He hadn't had a chance yet. Right-handed. Fine young man and hard worker."
Parents: Jeff and Kelli Slaga
Age: 13
School: Hudson
Hobbies: Baseball, fishing, sleeping, hunting
Favorite baseball player: Miguel Cabrera
Southwest Regional highlight: Started double play in final inning of tournament finale.
Chandler Spencer
From the coach: "Catches, pitches, leadoff batter. Bats right, throws right. Works hard."
Parents: Beverly Spencer and Zack Spencer
Age: 13
School: Hudson
Hobbies: Hunting, fishing, eating, sleeping
Favorite baseball player: Brandon Belt
Southwest Regional highlight: Game-tying two-run homer with two strikes in extra innings in win over Texas West.
Clayton Wigley
From the coach: "Outfielder and third baseman. Great young man and works hard."
Parents: Danny and Courtney Wigley
Age: 13
School: Hudson
Hobbies: Sports
Favorite baseball player: Brandon Belt
Southwest Regional highlight: Game-winning homer in 2-1 win over Texas West in championship.
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