RED SPRINGS - Allen Mitchell, Alex Batten and Derrick Bracey each hit a home run in Monday’s third round of the North Carolina Dixie Youth (ages 11-12) Baseball Tournament, but the Columbus County All-Stars still came up on the short end as they fell to South Park of Charlotte in a 7-6 extra-inning game.

South Park took the win in the bottom of the seventh inning on a two-run double by Patrick O’Brien.

The loss eliminated the Columbus County team from the state tournament. The District 2 champions had opened tournament play with a 6-1 victory over East Duplin before suffering a 13-7 loss to Albemarle in Sunday’s second round.

Columbus County coach Kevin Wayne said that while the loss to South Park was disappointing, “it was a very well-played game between two very evenly matched teams.

“It was a great game to watch … neck-and-neck all the way and was decided in extra innings,” Wayne said. “Good pitching, good hitting and some outstanding plays in the field. I think there was only one error the entire game and it had no effect on the outcome.”

Bracey had two hits, including his home run, while Ryan Sykes also had two hits. Sykes was the starting pitcher, getting relieved by Bracey in the fifth.

Mitchell’s two-run homer gave Columbus County an early 2-0 lead and Batten homered in the fifth. Bracey’s homer in the sixth tied the score and eventually sent the game into extra innings.

Since 1971, the Columbus County Dixie Youth League All-Star teams have advanced to state tournament play 26 times.