MERIDIAN – A home run by Brookhaven Academy product Kolby Byrdand some sound pitching from North Pike’s Casey Paulk was enough tolead the District 7 All-Stars to a 10-3 opening round victoryagainst the Northwest Mississippi laden District 2 All-Stars in theopening round of the Mississippi State Games Tournament at MeridianCommunity College.

District 7 plays in the winners bracket tonight beginning at 7against the Jackson-Metro based District 6.

Paulk, a 6-3, 190-pound rising senior from North Pike struck outfive batters in six innings of work to notch the victory. Byrd, arising junior catcher provided a solo shot in the fourth, as D7erupted for five runs.

Adams Chrisitan School shortstop Luke Brumfield had twosingles.

Lawrence County’s Tyler Reeves pitched the seventh inning, inreplace of Paulk.

The District 7 team is coached by Dustin Lott (Brookhaven Highassistant) and Jay Rayborn (Loyd Star assistant) and is made up ofa combination of 18 rising juniors and seniors around the SouthwestMississippi region.