The Atmore Cal Ripken 13U All-Stars found themselves facing some stiff competition in the 2012 state tournament this past weekend in Andalusia. Atmore found a convincing victory on the road but suffered two tough losses to bring an end to this year’s season.

Atmore found themselves behind early in the tournament after a 15-0 shut out loss Saturday at the hands of the Sylacauga All-Stars, but bounced back Sunday with a big win over Wetumpka.

Atmore got off to a fast start versus Wetumpka with five runs in the first inning from Nytorious Cooler, Ryan Johnson, Gaetyn Thames, Eric Williams and Kianoa Gumapac to take a 5-1 lead heading into second-inning play. Wetumpka rallied in the second, scoring three runs to close in on the lead, trailing Atmore 5-4.

Things would once again, however, tip in Atmore’s favor in the third as they allowed only one Wetmupka score and notched seven of their own off the bats of Cooler, Johnson, Thames, Williams, Devon Robinson and RaShaan Flavors, in addition to two scores from Xan McGhee, to extend their lead to 12-5.

Wetumpka won the fourth-inning battle, scoring two runs and holding Atmore scoreless, to pull within five runs of the lead. In the fifth inning Wetumpka once again won offensively, scoring three runs and holding the Atmore all-stars to only one off the bat of Williams, leaving the score 14-10 in favor of Atmore.

Wetumpka’s defense stood strong throughout the remainder of the game, keeping Atmore runners away from home plate.

Wetumpka also found some late-game offensive success with two more runs in the seventh inning, but would ultimately fall short of a win against the high-scoring Atmore offense as they won the contest 14-12.

Despite their big win, Atmore could not find the same success in their game against the Opp all-stars Sunday. Scores from Thames, Gumapac, Robinson and Johnson gave Atmore a fighting chance, but 13 runs from Opp’s potent offense left Atmore with a nine point, 13-4 loss, closing out tournament play and their 2012 season.