Marble Falls Slayers win championship in first year
CAPTION: The Marble Falls Slayers celebrate winning the Father’s Day Classic Small Town Select tournament. The team includes Asher Davis (front row, left), Oakley Lindo, Miller Shell, Bryson Floyd, Sheldon De La Hoya, Conor Caviness, Hudson Lehman, George Edwards, Matias Hernandez, Mitchell Wessels, Brandon Malm, Avery Engler; head coach Austin Shell (back row, left) and assistant coaches Mike Davis and Michael Lehman. Courtesy photo
The Marble Falls Slayers, a baseball team featuring players eight years old and younger, won the Father’s Day Classic Small Town Select tournament, where the Slayers captured the championship in dominant fashion.
The Slayers exploded for a 14-0 lead after only two innings before finishing with a run-rule victory to bring home the championship banner.
The previous two championship appearances ended in narrow defeats, making this championship even more rewarding for the players, coaches and families who never stopped believing.
In addition to incredible defense anchored by defensive Most Valuable Player Conor Caviness, the Slayers’ offense came alive in spectacular fashion. Overall Most Valuable Player Miller Shell blasted two over-the-fence home runs during tournament play. Offensive Most Valuable Player Matias Hernandez and Brandon Malm each added two over-the-fence home runs of their own, while Caviness delivered one of the tournament’s biggest moments with a towering grand slam in the semifinal game that sent the Slayers to the championship.
Head coach Austin Shell credits the team’s success not only to the players but also to the incredible commitment shown by their families.
“The success belongs to the boys,” he said. “Their improvement has been incredible to watch. Every tournament they became more confident, more disciplined and more committed to each other. Their parents sacrificed countless weekends, long drives and endless hours to make this possible. Without that commitment, none of this happens.”
The Slayers spent the last four months proving that success is earned through hard work, perseverance and a commitment to getting better every single weekend.
What began as a brand-new team learning to play together has quickly developed into one of the area’s most competitive youth baseball programs. The Slayers have competed in five tournaments across Texas, traveling to Georgetown, Bertram, Brownwood, Stephenville, Waco and Burnet. With each tournament, the team steadily improved.
In their first tournament, the Slayers did not win a game. In the second tournament, they earned their first victory. By the third tournament, they won two games. The fourth tournament resulted in three victories and a trip to the championship game where the Slayers took second place in a field of 15 teams.
Their final three tournaments all ended with championship appearances, demonstrating just how much this young group has grown and showcased just how complete this team had become.
“While those (individual) moments get much attention, every single player on the roster contributed to the team’s success,” Shell said. “From timely hits and outstanding defensive plays to hustle on the bases and unwavering encouragement of one another, every boy played an important role in bringing home the championship.”
The Slayers also recognize the tremendous support they have received from the Marble Falls community, assistant coaches Mike Davie and Michael Lehman, and Eddie Shell for allowing the team to develop a dedicated baseball field where these young athletes could practice and grow together.The coaches hope this championship is more than just a trophy. They hope it serves as the foundation for continued growth in Marble Falls baseball and inspires future generations of young athletes to compete, work hard and represent their community with pride.
