The Gaffney Mite League all-stars have this state championship thing down pat.

For the third year in a row, an all-star team from Gaffney has won the Cal Ripken Mite League state championship for ages 7 and 8.

This time, the Gaffney Gold team did the honors, sweeping through the competition without a loss.

"Everybody contributed and it was a total team effort," manager Ray Queen said.

Gaffney dominated the competition, outscoring its six opponents by a combined, 89-12.

Gaffney captured the championship with a 16-3 win over Westside on Saturday. Gaffney advanced to the champoinship with a 9-3 victory over the District V American League All-Stars.

Gaffney also eliminated the Blacksburg all-stars, 13-1.

Gaffney opened the tournament on Thursday with a convincing 24-0 victory over Iva.

The team followed that up on Friday with a 17-0 victory over the District V 'B' All-Stars and a 10-5 win over Inman's District I all-stars..

Team members include Sam Masters, Colton Byars, Landon Queen, Luke Harvey, C.J. Patterson, Devin Hambright, Jacob Jackson, Garrison Bridges, Jesse Hamrick, Seth Taylor and J.D. Smith.

Steve Byars, Russ Harvey and Al Masters serve as assistant coaches.

The team is accepting donations and will be holding fundraisers for its trip to Florida for the Southeast Regional on July 16-21.

CAL RIPKEN MITE LEAGUE STATE CHAMPIONSHIP

title with 16-3 victory over Westside on

Saturday

The team swept through the tournament, beating its opposition by a combined score of

89-12.

The Gaffney Gold All-Stars advance to the

Southeast Regional in Florida on July 16-21.