SOUTHPORT- The Columbus South Dixie Boys All-Stars remained in contention Tuesday by defeating North Granville 4-1 in the fourth round of the North Carolina Dixie Boys (ages 13-14) Baseball Tournament at Smithville District Park.

On Monday, the Columbus South team had suffered a 13-10 setback at the hands of host Brunswick County for its first tournament loss.

Columbus South took on Brunswick County Wednesday afternoon, and the winner of that game went on to play Bladen County for the bracket championship later on Wednesday. (See results in A-section).

In Tuesday’s win over North Granville Cory Sykes ripped his second home run of the tournament. Rett Lee rapped out a pair of doubles and Ethan Bennett had three hits in four trips to the plate. Lee and Grayson Bullock combined to pitch the win.

Also on Tuesday, Bladen County handed Brunswick County its first loss of the tournament to leave three teams in the bracket with one loss each. Bladen County, which lost to Columbus South in the opening round of the tournament, won the draw for the bye in the championship round.

Also on Tuesday, the Columbus East All-Stars were eliminated from state tournament play with a 4-3 loss to Duplin County. Columbus East posted a 1-2 record tours

In Columbus South’s Monday loss to Brunswick County, Bennett, Lester Frink, Hunter Allen and Jeremy Bullock led the offensive attack. Several Columbus South errors proved costly.