Shelton State (Ala.) Community College has looked solid against every team it faced in the Junior College World Series except for one: Grayson (Texas) College.

And unfortunately for the Bucs, the team they would be facing for a chance at a championship was that very same Grayson team.

Grayson’s 13-2 defeat of Shelton on Friday night for the championship marked not only the second time the Bucs have loss to the Vikings but also the second time they have been beaten by more than ten runs.

“We had a good run but Grayson was a good ball club that got hot at the right time,” Shelton State coach Bobby Sprowl said. “We played so well in the tournament you just hate that the two games we played down cost us.”

Shelton lost to Grayson, Wednesday night 13-2 in five innings and Friday night was more of the same. Shelton struggled to find pitching, going through seven different arms. Four were used just to get players a chance to play in the world series.

Regardless, the Bucs allowed 16 hits to Grayson.

Shelton was looking to posibly start ace pitcher Jonathan Smart but he was unable to go due to elbow pain.

“Smart’s arm has been bothering him and he has a great future at the University of Alabama,” Sprowl said. “If he had been able to go tonight it might have been a different story because he is a strike thrower.”

The Bucs struggled in the field committing four errors. Shelton made 12 errors in the tournament eight of which came against Grayson.

“I didn’t have guys in the right spots,” Sprowl said. “Instead of being able to turn a double play, we had to make a tough diving play for a ball.”

And for the second time against Grayson, Shelton couldn’t get anything going offensively. The Bucs had kept the game close getting on the board in the first two innings before Vikings starter Conrad Flynn held Shelton scoreless the final seven innings.

But all was not loss for Shelton as it improved upon its 2007 performance finishing 4-2 in the tournament and landing three players on the all-tournament team led by catcher Clay Jones who is making his second straight appearance after being named to the 2007 all-tournament team as well.

“It was an incredible run and we played our best but we were all happy to come out here and compete for the state of Alabama,” Jones said. “I will remember this for the rest of my life.”

Third baseman Tyler Horne and pitcher Adam Scott were both named to the all-tournament team as well.

For Sprowl, the opportunity to play in the World Series two straight seasons was something he will cherish.

“We play in such a tough league that it is so hard to win our tourney,” Sprowl said. “Hopefully we will have a chance to get back here next year.”

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E-mail Patrick Bahr at pbahr@gjds.com.