The North Team made history this year by winning the state championship in Lions Club East-West All-Star Baseball and three Russellville players were part of that team.

Jake Ward, T.J. Lindsey and Ryan Bowling were on the squad that defeated the Central Team in 10 innings before beating the South Team to win the title.

“It was a great feeling, especially having three kids from Russellville on the team,” Lindsey said. “The competition was outstanding. Throughout the other teams’ lineups were kids that could hit the ball.”

Ward earned the win on the mound against the Central Team. He pitched the top of the 10th inning and retired the side before tripling in the bottom half of the inning and later scoring the winning run.

“It was a great way to finish off my last two games under my dad as my coach,” Ward said. “It’s a big accomplishment, I don’t know what to say.”

Bowling said the experience was a once in a lifetime opportunity and said he expects it to help him at Russellville next season.

“I got to face the best hitters in the state,” Bowling said. “I can go into games now and act like I am playing competition like that. It will help out there.”