NATCHEZ – The Franklin County All-Stars quest for a statechampionship came to an abrupt end Wednesday night Defending champHattiesburg pounded out a 12-1 four-inning win over Franklin,eliminating them from the Dixie Youth Baseball AAA State Tournamentat Duncan Park.

Franklin finished in third place in the double-elimination statetourney.

Undefeated Hattiesburg meets Carthage tonight at 7 p.m. for thestate title. Carthage must beat Hattiesburg twice to win the statecrown.

In other scores, Carthage eliminated East Central 6-5 in nineinnings Wednesday night. Hattiesburg thumped East Central Tuesdaynight by a score of 14-1.

“Hattiesburg is an awesome team,” said Franklin County coachLance Murray. “They will probably end up winning state. They shouldbe in contention for the World Series title at Marshall,Texas.”

John Paul Sullivan singled for the only hit in the game forFranklin County. Sullivan’s single drove in Jarvis King for theonly run.

Barry Hazle was the winning pitcher with nine strikeouts and twowalks in pitching a one-hitter. Hazle also singled.

Powering Hattiesburg with two singles apiece were Ryan McNealand Bruce Thigpen. Doubling was Dustin McFarland. Casey Spenceralso singled.

@Linescore:Franklin Co. 100 0 – 1 1 2

Hattiesburg 507 x – 12 7 1