The Washington County 7U Baseball All-Stars completed a remarkable underdog story Sunday, battling back from an early tournament loss to win seven consecutive games in the loser's bracket and ultimately defeat their fierce Delta rival, the Cleveland All-Stars, twice to claim the 2025 Dizzy Dean 7U Baseball World Series championship.
The tournament, part of the Dizzy Dean Baseball and Softball World Series, was held at Snowden Grove Park in Southaven from June 25-30, with gameplay beginning on June 26. The 7U championship game took place on Sunday, June 29.
Washington County’s path to victory was anything but straightforward. After opening with a dominant 21-5 victory over Hernando All-Stars, they stumbled in their second game, falling 5-2 to the Cleveland All-Stars — a team they would later face in the finals. This loss sent them into the perilous loser's bracket, where one more defeat would mean elimination.
Undeterred, the Washington County squad, led by Head Coach Blake Palasini and Assistant Coaches Win Cadenhead, Allen Hayes, Clayton Davis, and Nelson McCord, embarked on an improbable winning streak. They won seven straight games, showcasing resilience and offensive firepower:
Beat East Union All-Stars 23-11
Beat Grenada Rec All-Stars 20-8
Beat Batesville Badgers 20-5
Beat Starkville All-Stars 16-15
Beat Southaven All-Stars 11-2
This incredible run set up a championship showdown with the Cleveland All-Stars — the very team that had sent them to the loser's bracket. Under the double-elimination format, Washington County needed to beat Cleveland twice to secure the title. They rose to the challenge, first with a convincing 12-4 victory, forcing a decisive second game. In an exciting finale, Washington County left no doubt, defeating Cleveland again, 16-1, to be crowned World Series champions. Their final overall tournament record stood at an impressive 8-1.
"I am incredibly proud of this team and the resiliency they showed," said Head Coach Blake Palasini. "They never gave up, even after dropping to the loser's bracket. Their composure and balance were remarkable. I'm also very appreciative of the outstanding job by our assistant coaches and the unwavering support from all the parents."
The championship roster for the Washington County 7U All-Stars included: Cam Palasini (#2), Jud Davis (#4), Hayes Ross (#6), John Martin Frankel (#7), Ben Holder (#8), Nathaniel Watkins IV (#12), Charles Hayes (#15), James Rutledge (#16), Rhodes McCord (#24), William Cadenhead (#37), and Robert New (#44).
Several players earned spots on the Dizzy Dean Baseball 2025 7U All-Tournament team for their outstanding performances: Charles Hayes, John Martin Frankel, William Cadenhead, Cam Palasini, and Robert New.
Adding to the team’s accolades, Cam Palasini was named the Dizzy Dean Baseball 2025 7U World Series MVP for his exceptional play throughout the tournament.
