HATTIESBURG – Purvis came out swinging Tuesday night and whipped the Lincoln  County American League All-Stars 9-3 in the Dixie Youth Baseball Major League State Tournament. Purvis, the only unbeaten team left in the double-elimination tournament, plays Hattiesburg’s Americans tonight at 8.

     Lincoln County faces Lawrence County in an elimination game at 6 tonight. The winner advances to Thursday’s finals. Lawrence County beat Franklin County 11-4 yesterday to remain alive and Hattiesburg eliminated Magee 6-1 in the rain-delayed tournament at the Larry Doleac Youth Sports Complex.

     The tournament champion advances to the World Series in Laurel.

      AAA Tournament

     At Magee, in the DYB AAA State Tournament, the Lincoln County Americans lost 7-6 to McComb in a rematch of the District Six finals. The Americans had lost 11-4 to Clarksdale Sunday.

     McComb plays Purvis tonight at 6 in an elimination game. Clarksdale edged Purvis 10-8 Tuesday night in a battle of unbeaten teams. Clarksdale faces  Corinth tonight at 8. Corinth eliminated Lawrence County 12-5.

     The state champ also advances to Laurel, site of the World Series.

     McComb 7, AL 6

     “We had a good season,” said American League head coach Hugh Fortenberry. “The Lord blessed me with a lot of great kids and parents.”

     McComb scored 5 unearned runs in the second.

     On the mound, pitcher Tyler Fortenberry took the loss. In 5 innings, he gave up 8 hits and struck out 10 batters. He walked 5 batters, 2 of them intentionally.

     The Americans finished with 8 hits. Fortenberry and. Jon Albritton both went 2-for-3. Singles were collected by Piker Wallace, Jackson Carter, Dylan Reeves and Jonah Smith.

     “McComb played a great game,” said Coach Fortenberry. They only made one error and they made some outstanding plays on defense.”

     Cade Rush pitched McComb’s victory. He gave up 8 hits, struck out 6 hatters and walked 2.

     McComb got 2 hits from leadoff batter J.P. Johnson and Bradley Whittaker. Canden Granthan, Josh Henderson, Poo-Man Felder, C-J Jackson and Kayden Easley singled.