SHALLOTTE - The unbeaten Columbus County Dixie Deb (ages 16-18) All-Stars took the field this morning at 10 against host West Brunswick in the championship round of the state Dixie Debs Softball Tournament.

The tournament is being played on the West Brunswick High School softball field.

A loss by the Columbus team in this morning’s game would extend the tournament another game between the two teams on Tuesday for the state title.

Columbus County opened play in the five-team double-elimination tournament on Saturday by squeezing past North Brunswick 8-7 and it walloped Kings Mountain 19-0 later in the day. On Sunday, the Columbus team defeated West Brunswick 12-7.

Joye Buffkin was the winning pitcher against North Brunswick and West Brunswick and Jessica McPherson picked up the win against Kings Mountain. Two home runs by Morgan Patrick have been among the highlights in the first three rounds of play.

Sam Smith also hit a home run while Courtney Long had a 4-for-4 effort against Kings Mountain.

Buffkin, Kayla McLean, Kelly Strickland, Marci-anna Pridgen, Yolanda McKoy and Caroline Newman have also been leading hitters.

West Brunswick defeated North Brunswick 5-3 Sunday to earn the right to take on Columbus County in today’s final round

The tournament winner will receive a berth in the 2007 Dixie Debs World Series that will open on July 27 at Marianna, Fla.

In the Dixie Belles (ages 13-15) bracket, the East Columbus All-Stars ripped off wins of 10-4 over Cherryville and 15-4 over Kings Mountain on Saturday and Sunday respectively at Shallotte Park.

Hope Bordeaux was the winning pitcher in both games while Emmy Malpass, Danielle Monroe and Sam Myers led the EC hitting attack. Malpass also had a strong game at the catcher position.

The East Columbus Belles are scheduled to go against a strong South Stanly team this afternoon at 2.

East Columbus posted an unbeaten record in claiming the recent District 9 Dixie Belles Tournament championship at Leland.

The state tournament winner will advance to the 2007 Dixie Belles World Series that opens July 27 at Marianna, Fla.

In the Dixie Darlings (ages 6-8) division, the South Columbus All-Stars took a 21-12 opening-round win over Bunn on Saturday at Shallotte Park and received a bye in Sunday’s second round, They will clash with North Stanly this morning at 11:30.

The South Columbus All-Stars received their state tournament berth by winning the recent District 9 Dixie Darlings Tournament at Leland.

The state tournament winner will advance to the 2007 Dixie Darlings World Series, which will be held in North Carolina with West Stanly (near Albemarle) as the host.