WESSON – A field of 80 players tried out Tuesday for the District 7 State Games baseball team in hopes of becoming one of the rising juniors and seniors from Southwest Mississippi and Louisiana public and private schools to represent the team.

The field was cut to 20 players after the tryout, which was held at Co-Lin’s Sullivan Baseball Field.

Coached by Tyler Cunningham of Amite School Center and Will Hedgepeth of Parklane Academy, the team is made up of 20-rising junior and senior baseball players from Southwest Mississippi.

“I am excited about the opportunity to coach this team,” said Cunningham. “We have a great group of guys that enjoy playing baseball and love to compete. We are looking forward to representing our area in Meridian.”

Three players from the Lincoln County area made the team – Brookhaven Academy’s Madison Smith as an outfielder, Loyd Star’s Tucker Watts as a catcher and Cade Hodges at pitcher.

Lawrence County had three players to represent Monticello – Marcus Atterberry at outfielder/pitcher, Brandon Bullock at outfielder/pitcher and Kasey Durr as a infielder.

Representing Franklin County is pitcher Jacob McDaniel.

Other members of the team are: Jonathan Allen, pitcher, Parklane Academy; Craig Bradley, infielder, Natchez Cathedral; Hunter Buckley, first base, Columbia High; Zach Flattman, first base/catcher, Natchez Cathedral; Cameron Havard, catcher, Columbia Academy; Reid Havard, catcher, Columbia Academy; Cade Killingsworth, pitcher, North Pike; Brett Lott, pitcher, Parklane Academy; Luke McKenzie, outfielder/pitcher, Columbia Academy; Britt Netterville, infielder, Centreville Academy; and Dalton Reed, pitcher, North Pike.

The District 7 team will travel to Meridian Community College to compete in the double-elimination 8-team tournament, June 13-17.