State Champion Comets Honored by Town

The Town of Clayton honored the state champion Clayton Civitan Comets baseball team this week for "working together as a team" to win the 2010 Tar Heel League State Tournament.

Mayor Jody McLeod presented Coach Ricky Stevens and the team with a proclamation honoring them for their dramatic come-from-behind victory and calling on all residents "to join with the Town Council in recognizing and congratulating the Clayton Civitan Comets."

"We are all quite proud of you and your accomplishments," the Mayor said.

The group of 11 and 12-year-old boys came roaring back from the brink of elimination to take the tournament after many had counted them out. In the final game, the team was down four runs before storming back in the final inning. The coach's son, Jesse Stevens, got the game-winning hit, a walk-off single that drove in the winning run to end the game in dramatic fashion.

"It was awesome," the coach said. "They pulled together. They wanted it. I'm so, so proud of them."

Coach Stevens said the team, a collection of local all-stars, came together well and quickly developed a winning chemistry.

"They got along so good," the coach said. "We just guided them. They got it done."

Members of the team are:

Jonathan Messina (#2)
Nick Peach (#5)
Landen Leisar (#8)
Blake Joyner (#9)
Tanner Duncan (#10)
Bryce Swackhammer (#12)
Dakota Schlecht (#13)
Brandon Krut (#17)
Zach Greene (#22)
Colton Myslinski (#25)
Chad Thomas (#42)
Jesse Stevens (#44)
Ricky Stevens, Coach
Bill Greene, Asst. Coach
John Messina, Asst. Coach
Troy Swackhammer, Asst. Coach

The Town Council also honored the local Civitan Club for "teaching sportsmanship and the competitive will to win, as well as furthering physical fitness and well-being through healthful association among young people." The club sponsors four local baseball leagues: T-ball for ages 4-6, Coach Pitch for ages 7-8 and Baseball for ages 9-10 and ages 11-12.