MENDENHALL – The Lincoln County Nationals and Americans 12-year-old All-Stars secured a split decision in their opening debut Friday night in the Dixie Youth Majors State Tournament in Mendenhall.

If Friday’s results, the Americans were victorious over the Puckett All-Stars 16-2. The Lincoln County Nationals fell to the Columbia All-Stars 16-4.

In Saturday morning games, the Nationals eliminated Puckett 14-0 to stay alive in the tournament. The Americans took on Columbia at 2 p.m. and lost 13-0.

In the second half of Saturday’s games, the Nationals battled the Walthall County All-Stars in an elimination contest at 6 p.m. and won 2-1. The Americans will play the winner of the Canton/Columbia Duckworth series in the loser’s bracket at 6 p.m.

The results of the Americans’ second game of the evening was not available at press time.

The tournament is scheduled to continue on Sunday with another doubleheader of games. The Nationals will play at 1 p.m. against the Lincoln County Americans/Canton/Columbia Duckworth winner.

The State Championship game will be played on Monday at 6 p.m.

Columbia 16, Lincoln Co. Nationals 4 

Dylan Carter suffered the setback on the mound in relief for the Nationals with three strikeouts and two walks. Dylan Reeves (6K, 1BB) started for the Nationals and pitched the first three scoreless innings. Conner Hall (1K, 1BB) pitched the sixth inning in relief.

Colby Carwyle was the top hitter for the Nationals with a home run in the fifth inning. Sam Smith contributed a double and a single. Carter provided a double. Hitting safely were Jon Allbritton, Cooper Moak and Reeves

Lincoln Co. Americans 16, Puckett 2 

Collin Waldrop was the winning pitcher for the mound for the Americans as he started and threw two innings. Matthew Burns pitched the final two innings in relief.

Gage Brown directed the Americans’ offensive explosion with a home run. Tyler Fortenberry ripped a pair of doubles. Piker Wallace and Ty Webb contributed a double and a single apiece. Jackson Carter provided a triple. Jacob Smith hit a double. Hitting safely were Collin Waldrop, Dakota Willard and Matthew Burns

Lincoln Co. Nationals 14, Puckett 0 

Dylan Reeves pitched the win in Saturday’s early morning contest for the Nationals and had five strikeouts. Felder Sartin pitched the final two innings in relief and finished with four strikeouts.

Jon Allbritton powered the Nationals offensive attack with a two-run home run. Dylan Reeves continued the offensive surge with two double and a single. Colby Carwyle and J.T. McCaffrey added to the onslaught with double and a single apiece. Cooper Moak ripped a pair of doubles. Konnor Fauver, Dylan Carter, Sam Smith and Conner Hall hit a single apiece.

Columbia 13, Lincoln Co. Americans 0 

Collin Waldrop absorbed the setback on the rubber for the Americans with three strikeouts and two walks. Matthew Burns (3K, 0BB) came in and pitched the third and fourth innings in relief.

Piker Wallace and Collin Waldrop lead the Americans at the plate with a single apiece.

Lincoln Co. Nationals 2, Walthall Co. 1 

The Nationals defeated Walthall to advance to Sunday’s tournament games.

Dylan Carter led the Nationals at the plate with a triple. J.T. McCaffrey, Dylan Reeves and Jon Allbritton provided a single each in the win.