EVERGREEN - Whiteville Optimist took a 3-0 lead in the first inning and did not allow a run over the last three innings Sunday as it posted a 12-4 victory over Columbus County in a winner’s bracket game of the District 2 Dixie Youth Supplemental Baseball Tournament for 11-year-olds at Bill Johnson Field.

In Sunday’s other second-round game, Nakina knocked off Bladen County 7-4.
Columbus County and Nakina will meet today at 6 p.m., with the winner going against Whiteville on Tuesday night at 6 in the tournament’s championship round.

In Saturday’s opening-round play, Columbus County defeated Nakina 6-4, and Whiteville subdued Bladen County 12-2 in four innings.

Gerardo Maggioli, Cage Deal, Derrick Nobles and Kirkland Bass have been the offensive leaders for Whiteville in the first two rounds of play. In Sunday’s win over Columbus County, it scored three runs in the first inning and two in the third. Evan Priest turned in a strong defensive game at second base.

Whiteville is vying for its second straight District 2 Supplemental Tournament title.
Columbus County’s Philip Andrews parked a home run in the opening-day win over Nakina while Cody Bullard, Ric Roby and Chase Bowen have made some big contributions on offense.

Antonio Aguilar, McKenzie Chestnutt and Jeffrey Simmons and Nathan Benton have been among the leaders for Nakina.