HATTIESBURG – The Lincoln County American League all-starsovercame a 10-run, first-inning deficit and rallied past theHattiesburg Nationals 17-16 Monday in the Dixie Youth 9s SouthRegional at Doleac Sports Complex.

“We were in a pretty tough spot last night but our kids didn’tquit,” said Lincoln County American League head coach StanWinborne. “We had every opportunity to quit but we willed a way towin.”

The Americans catch Columbia tonight in a rematch at 6 p.m.Laurel’s Nationals knocked off Columbia 8-5 last night to remainthe only unbeaten team left in the double-elimination tournament.Laurel plays Walthall County tonight.

The first and second place regional teams advance to the statetournament in Greenville.

The top of the first inning was a nightmare as the Americanscommitted 7 errors.

Dylan Winborne (1 K, 4 BB) started for Lincoln County and wentthe first 2 innings. He faced 17 batters, gave up 10 runs on 5hits.

Cade Hodges (5 K, 7 BB) went the next 4 innings. He faced 25batters and allowed 6 runs on 3 hits.

The Americans scored 2 runs in the first, 1 in the second and 7in the fourth. They trailed Hattiesburg 15-10 after the fourthframe.

“We were facing elimination because of the 10-run rule but wecame back and scored 10 runs,” said Winborne. His team trailed16-14 after 5 innings.

In the bottom of the sixth, the Americans got 2 hits and 3 runs.Tanner Waldrop and Tucker Lambert hit safely. They also got a baseon balls and a hit batsman.

With 2 outs, Dylan Griffin came to bat. Lambert stole home totie the score at 16-16. Hodges, who had drawn a walk, was on thirdbase. Griffin delivered a game-winning single to right field,igniting a Lincoln County celebration.

At the plate, the Americans got 2 singles from catcher JustinJohnston. First baseman Parker Flowers singled and doubled. Lambertand Griffin also singled twice.

Johnny Bowman and Cullen Keene singled for the Americans.

Hattiesburg had a total of 8 hits. A.J. Stinson singledtwice.

The Nationals used 4 pitchers. Clay Counts started for them.Alex Burt absorbed the loss.