COLUMBIA – The Lincoln County American All-Stars and the Franklin County All-Stars saw their magical season come an end Tuesday night in the final four of the Dixie Youth Majors State Tournament at Dean Griner Dixie Youth complex.

In the semifinal opener, the Lincoln County Americans and the McComb All-Stars battled in a close 3-1 contest, before having to stop due a thunderstorm. After an hour delay, the contest resumed and McComb came out swinging to quickly overwhelm Lincoln County for an 18-2 victory.

In the nightcap, the Franklin County and Columbia All-Stars’ contest got off to a late start due to waiting for the officials to finish the other contest. Both teams provided an exciting contest for their baseball fans in a pitcher duel. The hometown team, the Columbia All-Stars, managed to handcuff Franklin County to claim a 5-0 win.

The Columbia All-Stars and the McComb All-Stars will fight for the state championship tonight beginning at 6 p.m., If game two is needed, it will immediately follow 30 minutes after the conclusion of the first game.

McComb 18, Lincoln Co. AL 2 

The Lincoln County Americans and McComb All-Stars provided another exciting battle in probably their fourth meeting against one another in three weeks.

The Americans quickly came out and set the tone of the contest early as they managed to break up the scoreless contest in the bottom of the second inning to take a 1-0 lead.

In the top of the third inning, McComb answered Lincoln County’s challenge and charged back to take a 3-1 lead before having to stop due to a thunderstorm.

After an hour delay, the McComb All-Stars picked up where they left off at in the third inning and added three more runs to take a 6-1 lead.

In the bottom of the third and the fourth inning, Lincoln County struggled to get their offense going as their bats went ice cold at the plate.

McComb managed to capitalize on Lincoln County’s offensive woes and defensive miscues with a 12-run explosion in the top of the fifth inning to take a commanding 18-1 lead.

The Americans, refusing to give up, battled back in the bottom of the fifth inning. Lincoln County finally got their offense going as they pushed one run across the plate, but McComb’s defense quickly slammed the door on Lincoln County’s rally to secure the win.

” This is a great group of kids,” said Lincoln County coach Hugh Fortenberry. “Our goal was to make it to the state championship, but falling one game short is not that bad.”

“This was a great accomplishment for the guys and Brookhaven,” continued Fortenberry. “I am very proud of their effort. Overall, this was a great season for us.”

Brady Johnson pitched the victory for McComb with two strikeouts and three walks.

Cade Brown suffered the setback for Lincoln County with eight strikeouts and three walks.

Brandon Roberts powered McComb’s offense with a home run and a double. Zach Stinson contributed a home run and a single. Oliver Smith and Jaylin Jackson ripped a pair of doubles. Cayden Larrimore and Mason Alford provided two singles each. Johnson had a double and a single. Hitting safely were Crandon Chapman and Kasten Morris.

Peyton Morse, Grant Jackson, Travis Hall and Brown were the top hitters for Lincoln County at the plate with a single apiece.

Columbia 5, Franklin Co. 0 

Franklin County and Columbia provided a pitchers’ duel for their baseball fans.

Columbia quickly took advantage of Franklin County’s two defensive miscues to claim a 4-0 lead in two innings of action.

Columbia would another run to their score in the third inning after a rocket home run shot toward left-center from Slade Wilks.

Franklin County threatened on several occasions to rally back throughout the contest, but failed to convert due to a strong pitching performance by Tate Duncan and Columbia’s tough defense.

Duncan tossed a no-hitter for Columbia collecting six strikeouts and allowed only two walks to gain the victory.

Trevor Bolyer absorbed the setback for Franklin County with 10 strikeouts and one walk.

Wilks’ homerun powered Columbia’s offense. Railes Stuart and Robert Patterson hit safely.