Kinston/Lenoir County Wins Dixie Youth State Title, Headed to World Series

Jul 16

Jul 16 Kinston/Lenoir County Wins Dixie Youth State Title, Headed to World Series

Kinston/Lenoir County Wins Dixie Youth State Title, Headed to World Series

The Kinston/Lenoir County Recreation All-Star softball team is heading to the 2025 Dixie Angels World Series in Ruston, Louisiana — and they’re doing so as state champions.

KLC capped a remarkable tournament run Tuesday afternoon with a 6-1 win over Pembroke to claim the Dixie Youth Angels State Championship. The team also received the tournament’s Sportsmanship Award, recognizing their character and conduct throughout the event.

The championship victory followed a dominant doubleheader on Monday, where KLC won back-to-back elimination games to punch their ticket to the finals. In a statement win over Hope Mills, KLC exploded offensively and rolled to a 12-1 victory. Allena Ransom was dominant on the mound, tossing four strong innings and allowing just one run.

Head coach Jason Bryant praised his team’s performance and composure, saying, “This was an unforgettable performance. The bats were hot, and the girls were locked in from the start.”

Kinston/Lenoir County then faced Pembroke again in the championship game Tuesday and repeated its success — this time with a 6-1 victory to seal the title.

KLC’s Path to the Title:

Game 1: 5-1 win vs. Pembroke
Game 2: 11-7 loss vs. Hope Mills
Game 3: 15-6 win vs. Moore County
Game 4: 12-1 win vs. Hope Mills
Championship: 6-1 win vs. Pembroke

With the state championship secured, KLC advances to the Dixie Angels World Series, set for July 25–30 in Ruston, Louisiana.

Team Roster:
Front row (L–R): Vayda Graham, Alice Lewis, Allena Ransom, Adilynn Garner, Makenzie Sumner
Back row (L–R): Avery Bryant, Aniyah Porter, Jessa Adesso, Charley Sumner, Leah Hill, Arianna Porter
Coaches: Jason Bryant, Josh Garner

Tournament Field: