Local 15U traveling baseball team the Coastal Thunder returned to the diamond two weeks ago in Leesburg for the Turn Back the Clock Tournament sponsored by Peach State Diamond Sports. The boys won first place.

Coaches Joe Fincham and Shawn Mills said the team’s defense was solid throughout the tournament, giving up only nine runs. Players Grayson Fincham, Shawn Mills, Austin Mills, Austin Middleton and Hunter Rush led the defense.

Chase Rogers, Curtis Michalwicz, Gage Kasperian, Zach Harris and Cole Ray pitched the games, giving up a combined 10 hits and striking out 22 batters, Fincham said.

Rush and Shawn Mills led the hitters. Both athletes hit homeruns over the fence. Austin Mills and Kasperian also did well at bat, the coach said.

Next up, the team will compete in a few tune-up tournaments in Statesboro and Waycross as the athletes prepare for college showcase events in October and November.

"Coastal Thunder would like to express sincere thanks to team managers Savannah Fincham and Martina Torrissen for maintaining the scorebook, roster, line-up cards and pitch counts, and to the very spirited parents and grandparents who always give enthusiastic support to the players and team," Fincham said.

D.A.M. Designs in Hinesville sponsors the team’s uniforms.