In fierce bout for the championship, the McComb All-Stars relied on a strong pitching effort from Darren Tobias and Oliver Smith to secure a 4-3 victory over the Franklin County All-Stars Thursday night in game two action of the Dixie Youth Baseball Major All-Stars 12-year-old District Six Tournament at Keystone Park.

In an earlier contest, the Franklin County squad came out on fire and hammered McComb to claim a 10-0 win in Game One to force a decisive game for the championship.

The McComb All-Stars, the Franklin County All-Stars and the Lincoln County Americans will advance to play in the Dixie Youth State Tournament next week in Columbia. The tournament will begins Friday, July 18, at the Columbia Dean Griner Dixie Youth complex.

Franklin Co. 10, McComb 0 

The Franklin County All-Stars came ready to play in game one of the championship contest as they quickly overwhelmed the McComb All-Stars to claim a 4-0 lead in the first inning of action.

Franklin County continued to overpower McComb with a strong hitting performance to increase their lead in the second, third and fourth innings to secure a shutout win in four innings of action.

Garrett Smith provided a dominating performance on the mound for the Franklin County with strikeouts and one walk.

Oliver Smith suffered the loss for the McComb with one strikeout and four walks.

Terrance Charles sparked Franklin County’s offense with a triple. Trent Tindle, Jett Watts and Will Ray continued fueling the flames with a single apiece.

Tobias was the top hitter at the plate for McComb with two singles. Brady Johnson hit safely.

McComb 4, Franklin Co. 3 

In game two of the doubleheader, Franklin County and McComb’s baseball fans witnessed a complete turnaround as both teams went all out in the championship finale.

After losing the coin toss to start the contest, the McComb All-Stars came out on offense first and quickly set the tone of the contest as they grabbed a 2-0 lead.

The Franklin County All-Stars managed to overcome a slow start to score one run in the bottom of the second inning to cut into McComb’s lead at 2-1.

In the third inning, McComb answered Franklin County’s challenge and reclaimed a two-run advantage at 3-1.

In the top of the fourth inning, McComb witnessed a monstrous solo home run by pitcher Darren Tobias, which later became the game-winning run.

In the bottom of the fourth inning, Franklin County managed to break through McComb’s strong pitching performance to score two runs and trim McComb’s lead to 4-3.

In the final two innings of action, both teams provided a fierce defensive battle, putting their baseball fans on the edge of their seats. Offensively, McComb and Franklin County both threatened to either increase their lead or rally to claim the victory, but a combined effort of defense and pitching helped disrupt the other team’s strategy.

Darren Tobias collected the win on the mound for McComb with six strikeouts and three walks. Oliver Smith pitched the final two innings of action to earn the save with three strikeouts and one walk.

Trevor Bolyer suffered the setback for Franklin County as he went the distance, striking out 12 batters and walking five.

Tobias powered the McComb All-Stars at the plate with a solo home run. Hayes Tisdale provided a double and Brady Johnson had a single.

Garrett Smith was the top slugger for Franklin County at the plate with a double. Will Ray contributed a single.