GALLMAN – Fresh from winning the Dixie Youth Baseball AAA North Subdistrict Six Tournament, the Lincoln County American League All-Stars battle McComb in a best-of-three series to determine the District Six champion. Game 1 starts tonight at 6:30, at McComb’s Danny Nichols Field in Edgewood Park.

     The Americans will host Game 2 Saturday at 2 p.m., at Keystone Park. If Game 3 is necessary to determine a champion, it will start at 4 p.m. Both teams will advance to the state AAA tournament at Magee, starting July 19.

     The Americans went unbeaten in the double-elimination subdistrict tournament, winning 3 games. They defeated Copiah County 14-0 in the title game. They also posted wins over the Lincoln County Nationals, 7-1, and Copiah, 11-1.

     American League head coach/manager Hugh Fortenberry said his team displayed steady improvement in the playoffs. “I’ve got kids who are hitting the ball better than they have hit all year. They are becoming confident at the plate.”

     14, Copiah 0

     In the title test, the Americans cruised past Copiah in 6 innings. Dylan Carter struck out 4 batters  and walked none, allowing just 2 hits. Cade Romano was the losing pitcher.

     At the plate, shortstop Tyler Fortenberry led the Nationals with a 4-for-4 effort, including 2 doubles.Jacbob Smith doubled and singled. Jackson Carter singled twice. Gage Brown, Dylan Reeves, Luke Davis, Piker Ratcliff, Piker Wallace, Jamrio Hersey, Colin Waldrop and Dylan Carter singled.

     Copiah got singles from Cole Eckhoff and Zack Thompson.

      AL 7, Nationals 1

     The two rivals were locked in a tight pitching duel until the fourth. Reeves broke the game open with a bases-loaded, 3-run double, giving the Americans a 4-1 lead. John Albritton, Jackson Carter, Davis, Ratcliff and Smith singled in the triumph.

     Fortenberry fanned 14 batters and walked 6, allowing just 1 hit, a fourth-inning single by Chase White.

     Manny Miller (10K, 6BB) suffered the semifinals setback as the Nationals finished third. Miller allowed 6 hits.

      AL 11, Copiah 1

     Dylan Carter (5K, 2BB) pitched the victory in the opener, lasting 3 innings. Jermario Hersey (0K, 0BB) relieved Carter and gave up 1 hit.

     Eckhoff was the losing pitcher.

     Copiah got 2 singles from Cliff Ellis. Clayton Moulder, Zach Thompson and Romano singled.