MOUNT VERNON — As the old saying goes, defense wins championships.
COF demonstrated some great defense. And it earned the team the Mount Vernon Baseball Association Major League tournament championship.
COF defeated Ariel, 2-0, in a game dictated by the two youngsters on the pitching mound.
Everyone on COF’s roster got to play, and everyone contributed. But it was pitcher Trace Hatfield who most fans at the game will remember.
Hatfield struck out seven while allowing just one baserunner in a complete game shutout. At one point, he had retired 15 batters in a row.
“We always have that one who steps up and carries the load,” COF manager Dan Trace said. In this case, he was referring to Hatfield, his grandson. “He’s been coming to practices since he was four years old. He loves baseball, and he just does everything he can do to be around the game.”


