11u Copperhead Triple Crown State Champions

Lake Norman Copperheads 11U state champions, front, from left: John David Brock, Hunter Dowdy, Joey Stange, Alex Cohen, David Van Dyke. Middle, from left: Keegan Nimblett, Jonny Mondo, Kayne Pfeifer, Sam Zayicek, Bryce Vestal, Brock Mullins. Back, from left: Coaches Tom Nimblett, John Brock, Dick Zayicek.

The 11U Lake Norman Copperheads won the Triple Crown State Championship June 5–6 in Morganton. The team outscored opponents 48-14 and went 5-0 in the tournament, claiming the title with a 9-8 win over Charlotte Hurricanes in the championship game.

“The kids worked hard all winter and spring to get ready for this type of competition,” Head Coach John Brock said. “We are the definition of a team – we have no superstars – just a group of kids that love the game and their teammates.”

The Copperheads also won a big “Top Gun” tournament against statewide competition in Greensboro on May 21-22.

“We beat 3 of the top teams in the state on Sunday – it was a very special day for the team,” the coach said.

The team erased a 9-1 deficit in the championship game by scoring 16 unanswered runs to claim the victory, 17-9. Added Coach Brock: “We push the kids at practice, so when they face adversity, they don’t panic…and it paid off. They are a great group of kids and lots of fun to coach!”