By DAN BISER

OLD DOCK – Bladen County edged past defending champion Whiteville Optimist 4-3 and Columbus County topped host Nakina 5-1 Sunday in the opening round of the District 2 Dixie Youth Baseball Tournament at Thurman Ward Memorial Field.

The tournament opened Saturday but play was rained out in the second inning of the Bladen-Whiteville game and resumed Sunday.

Today’s second-round action will have Whiteville Optimist taking on Nakina in a 6 p.m., elimination game and Bladen County going against Columbus County in the winner’s bracket game at 8.

The double-elimination tournament will run through Thursday.

Bladen County 4
Whiteville Optimist 3

A.J. McKoy’s two-run homer into the trees beyond the centerfield fence in the bottom of the fifth inning was the big blow for the Bladen squad. McKoy’s home run shot came right on the heels of a double by Cody Hammond to give Bladen County a 4-2 lead.

Whiteville tried to make a comeback in the top of the sixth inning when Justin White doubled and scored moments later on an error. Whiteville went on to load the bases before relief pitcher Antonio Murchison managed to retire the side.

Bladen County had taken a 2-0 first-inning lead when Davon Burney and Cody Hammond led off with singles. A misplayed fly ball by Murchison brought in both runners.

Whiteville scored its first run in the fourth inning when Hunter Smith singled and scored and later scored on an error. Whiteville added a run in the sixth when Zach Cochran doubled and scored on a single by Frank Ciamillo.

Hammond and McKoy each had two hits for Bladen County while White and Cochran each had two hits for Whiteville.

Columbus County 5
Nakina 1

A two-run double by Justin Ward keyed a three-run fourth inning for Columbus County. Chase Nye also had a key RBI in the frame.

Columbus County pitchers Alex Batten and Corey Sykes combined to pitch a one-hitter.

Columbus County scored a run in the first inning when Derrick Bracey led off with a single and later scored on a single by Alex Batten.

Nakina tied the score in the bottom of the first when Cody Buck led off with a walk and scored following a pair of Columbus errors.

Columbus County grabbed the lead for took in the third inning when Allen Mitchell hit a one-out double and later scored from third on a fielder’s choice play.

Nakina pitcher Rasheed Williams had his team’s only hit with a second inning double.