LELAND - The South Columbus All-Stars advanced to fourth-round play, finishing with a 2-2 record in the North Carolina Dixie Youth AA (Coach-Pitch) Baseball Tournament this past weekend.

Saturday’s first two rounds of play were heavily affected by rain. South Columbus’ opening-round game was delayed nearly three hours as it defeated Hope Mills 8-5. Its second round game got underway Saturday night as it fell to West Robeson 9-4.

The South Columbus squad bounced back on Sunday afternoon as it scored two runs in the sixth inning to overtake Cape Fear 8-7.

In Saturday evening’s round, the South Columbus squad squared off with a hot-hitting Boger City squad and fell 17-2.

“Boger City was coming off its first loss, and their kids really came out and hit the ball well,” said South Columbus head coach Shane Wright. “We kind of hit a buzz saw.”
Wright said that despite Sunday’s loss and Saturday’s delays, the state tournament was “a great experience for our kids. Everybody really enjoyed it.”

South Columbus had advanced to the state tournament by going unbeaten in District 9 Tournament play.