The Lincoln County Americans managed to overcome a slow start and finished strong as they defeated the Lincoln County Nationals 12-5 in Game Two to win the Dixie Youth Baseball 8-year-old Coach/Pitch AA North Subdistrict Six Tournament title Tuesday night at Keystone Park.

     “This was a great contest between two teams,” said Lincoln American head coach Blake Wallace. “I am extremely proud of the guys. We started off slow in the first game, but finished strong in the second game. We are happy to keep the season alive and excited to advance to the state tournament.”

     In Game One, the Nationals handed the Americans their first loss of the tournament with a 16-8 victory and forced a decisive game in the championship round.

     “Both teams played extremely hard,” said Nationals head coach Ryan Case. “My guys came out and hit the ball really well in the first game. In the second game, we struggled to get our rhythm back and they took advantage of our errors. Overall, I am very proud of my guys. They played hard and did not give up.”

     The Lincoln County Americans advance to play in the District Six best-of-three series against Walthall County. Keystone Park will host all three game of this contest. Game One will be played Friday at 6 p.m. Game Two and Game Three (if needed) are Saturday at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.

     Both Walthall and the Lincoln County Americans have automatically qualified for the State Tournament, which will held at Pascagoula, beginning July 12.

Lincoln NL 16,  Lincoln AL 8       

Lincoln County American hitters: John Patrick Wallace, 1B. Payne Waldrop, 2B, 2B. Trevor Fortenberry, 3B. Mason Davis, 1B. Parker Moak, 1B. Riley Easterling, 1B, 2B. Jacob Rushing, 2B, 2B. Carter Holcomb, 1B, 2B. Peyton Prather, 1B. Rayce Stewart, 1B, 2B. Trenton Tarver, HR, 1B.     

Lincoln County Nationals hitters: Jake Meilstrup, 1B, 1B. Logan Case, 1B, 1B, 1B. Brandon Welch, 1B, 1B, 2B. Landon Porter, 1B, 2B. Will Loy 1B, 3B. Blake Thornton, 1B, 3B. Easton Boyte, 1B, 1B, 2B. Trevor Smith, 1B, 1B, 2B. Brayden Polk, 1B, 1B. Brant Day, 1B, 1B. Lane Biggs, 1B.

Lincoln AL 12,  Lincoln NL 5     

Lincoln County National hitters: Jake Meilstrup, 1B. Logan Case, 1B, 1B. Brandon Welch, 1B. Landon Porter, 3B, 2B. Will Loy 1B. Blake Thornton, 1B, 1B. Easton Boyte, 1B. Trevor Smith, 2B. Brayden Polk, 1B, 1B. Brant Day, 1B, 1B. Logan Bardwell, 1B    

Lincoln County American hitters: John Patrick Wallace, 1B, 1B. Payne Waldrop, 3B, 2B. Trevor Fortenberry, 1B, 1B, 2B. Mason Davis, 1B, 1B, 2B. Parker Moak, 2B, 2B. Riley Easterling, 1B, 3B. Jacob Rushing, 2B. Carter Holcomb, 1B, 3B. Peyton Reid, 1B, 1B, 2B. Peyton Prather, 1B, 1B. Rayce Stewart, 1B, 1B. Trenton Tarver, 1B.