South All-Stars survive to play another day with Atlanta and New Boston

Texarkana South, Atlanta and New Boston will all be in action today at the Dixie Ozone Region-State Tournament at the Swanger Sportsplex in Spring Lake Park.

The South All-Stars were humbled by defending champion Longview Sunday morning's Division I opener, 18-3. Texarkana later survived an elimination game with Mount Pleasant, 9-5. The locals face an uphill path today at 12:30 p.m. when they face Sunday's late winner between Longview and Atlanta. The loser of that game plays an elimination game against Spring Hill or Bonham at 10:30 a.m.

Atlanta set up its showdown with Longview with a 5-2 victory over Spring Hill. In late elimination games Saturday Mount Pleasant sent Van Alstyne packing, 13-3, and Bonham edged Paris National, 11-10.

New Boston and White Oak were the only unbeaten teams left in Division II Sunday night. New Boston routed Sabine, 17-1, while White Oak rallied past Red River County, 9-8. Bells eliminated Daingerfield, 9-8, and Sabine sent Bells home.

Atlanta manager Chad Burden was asked if Longview was beatable. His answer was clear.

"Absolutely! Longview is beatable," he said. "We've prepared for them all year and we'll give them all we've got. Our bats have got to come alive. We started today a little weak on the rubber, giving up two runs in the first inning. We were strong after that, and I think we're prepared for whatever comes at us.

"Believe it, or not, pitching is the strength of our team. We've got nine pitchers. We've got pitchers who haven't even seen the field yet. We're ready."

Atlanta's offense has been led by Dex Ebard, Julian Rea, Nick Burden and Austin Fahrney.

Bret Spivey ignited Texarkana's effort in Sunday's second game with Mount Pleasant. He singled for the game's first hit in the second inning to drive home the first run. Spivey promptly stole second and advanced to third when the catcher's throw went into center. Seconds later he stole home for the game's second run.

The South stars built an 8-2 lead with six runs in the third thanks to several walks and errors by MP. Court Little had a two-run triple in the inning, and Kaiden Barnes added a run-scoring single.

Reece Bruner was the winning pitcher in relief of starter Allen Cartwright. Hunter Digby pitched an inning, and Spivey came on the get the final three outs, including two strikeouts.

The game also featured a spectacular diving catch by the South's center fielder Matthew Cauley that saved at least two runs.

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