from staff reports

The Meridian 13-14-year-old all-stars from Q.V. Sykes Park got off to a rousing start in the Little League International (Junior League) Southwestern Regionals in Midland, Texas Friday.

Meridian pounded out 11 runs on 14 hits in an 11-1, run-rule victory over Oklahoma in the opening game of the tourney — moving into today’s winner’s bracket contest against host Midland.

“Our sticks were hot,” Meridian coach Gene Miles said. “The other team had a good many errors, but we hit the ball and we ran the bases well.”

In Friday’s win, Hunter Thrower was 3-for-3 with a triple while Dylan Miles went 2-for-3 with a double to lead Meridian. Grant Hill and Jacob Follin each had two hits, while Daniel Lott came off the bench to go 2-for-2.

Micah Redmond and Will Branning also had singles.

Branning limited Oklahoma to just one run on two hits to get the win on the mound, striking out three in the process.

Meridian, which is coached by Miles and Jimmy Lang, will take on host Midland today at 1 p.m. The squad made it to the Southwestern Regionals by winning the Little League International (Junior League) state crown in mid-July.

The regionals — a nine-team, double-elimination event — wrap up Tuesday, with the winner advancing to the World Series Aug. 10-16 in Taylor, Mich.

— Rocky Higginbotham