By Robert Carter

The North Jefferson News



The Corner Dizzy Dean Baseball 12-year-old team, having sailed through the regular season with a 19-0 record, seemed to have its semifinal game in the 31 North District Championship well in hand Monday night at Mt. Olive Ball Park.

But in the bottom of the fourth inning, Gardendale launched itself into an 11-6 lead, thanks to a pair of three-run homers by Mykka Merritt and Garrett Sweatt.

The Rockets added an insurance run in the fifth, which proved to be the game winner as they held on through a Yellow Jacket rally in the final inning to win 12-11.

The win sent Gardendale into the final game of the tournament on Tuesday night, while Corner fell into a loser’s bracket elimination game Monday that ran into problems with storms.

The tournament was originally scheduled for this past weekend, after a Gardendale win on Friday night, heavy rains and lightning also postponed play until Monday. Even then, park coaches and helpers had to struggle to get the soggy field ready for play.

Corner, Gardendale and Fultondale will all advance to the regional playoffs this weekend in Pinson.