Madison has a new World Series Champion

Rick Patrick rick@greenepublishing.com Madison County native and former Major League Baseball star Lorenzo Cain isn’t the only local player who can claim a World Series championship. Although it may not be in the “big show,” Madison teenager Wiley Barfield can now claim a World Series championship. Barfield played for the Tallahassee-Leon 14U Babe Ruth All-Star team that recently won the Babe Ruth 14U World Series championship in Hot Springs, Ark. The Tallahassee team defeated the team from Mexico, 9-2, on Saturday, Aug. 16. The Tallahassee team went undefeated during post-season play, including a 7-0 run during the World Series tournament that featured 15 teams from across the United States and other countries as far away as New Zealand and Nigeria. During the World Series, the Tallahassee team outscored their opponents, 57-9. Barfield said the highlight of the tournament for him came when the Tallahassee team played the host team from Hot Springs. It was a tight game and Barfield was called upon to close the game and seal the victory for the Tallahassee team. During Saturday’s championship game, Barfield went one-for-three in the batter’s box. He also came in during the sixth inning with one out and runners at second and third. Barfield was able to get out of the inning without giving up a run. He went on and closed the game out on the pitcher’s mound, giving up no hits and no runs, while striking out three batters. Barfield is in the 10th grade at Aucilla Christian Academy. He is the son of Zane and Kristen Barfield, of Madison.