Atmore’s 12-and-under Cal Ripken All-Stars took first place in the District 7 tournament this weekend at Tom Byrne Park, advancing to the state tournament.

Atmore finished undefeated atop the winners’ bracket, and played one-loss Andalusia in a game Sunday afternoon. Although Andalusia won that game 6-5, it was Atmore’s first loss and therefore the teams had to play a final game to determine the champion.
In that second game, Atmore prevailed with a 7-0 shutout.

Players on the team included Caden Battles, Justin Brunson, Reece Buck, Joseph Ferguson, Chaston Helton, Brady Howell, J.W. Jackson, Levi Joiner, Canyon Odom, Wilson Price, Nathan Ragan, Parker Robinson and J.J. Stevens. Coaches are Eddie Baggett, Eddie Ferguson and Craig Hadley.

Ten of the players and all three coaches were also members of last year’s 10-and-under All-Stars, who finished in second place at the 2014 state tournament.

Atmore will play in the state tournament at Matthews Park in Mobile, beginning Friday, June 26.

Other tournament scores were:

• Friday — Monroe County 16, Andalusia 14
• Friday — Atmore 8, Flomaton 7
• Saturday — Atmore 5, Monroe County 2
• Saturday — Andalusia 6, Flomaton 2 (Flomaton eliminated)
• Saturday — Andalusia 14, Monroe County 4 (Monroe County eliminated)

Championship Game 2: Atmore 7, Andalusia 0

Atmore scored four runs in the second and three runs in the fifth, on the way to a 7-0 victory in the deciding game Sunday.

Brunson scored two runs, and scoring once each were Stevens, Price, Ragan, Ferguson and Helton.
Andalusia managed just four hits.

Championship Game 1: Andalusia 6, Atmore 5

Andalusia and Atmore played a back-and-forth game early Sunday afternoon, with Andalusia eventually prevailing by a single run to stay alive in the District 7 tournament.

Atmore scored two runs in the top of the first and the top of the fourth, but Andalusia responded each time to keep the game tied. Andalusia moved ahead 6-4 after scoring two runs in the bottom of the fifth.

Down to its last three outs, Atmore staged a rally, scoring one run in the top of the sixth and putting runners on first and third with one out. However, the next batter hit a pop-up on the infield, and the runner on first base was doubled up to end the game.

Buck scored two runs for Atmore, and Brunson, Stevens and Price each scored once.

Atmore 5, Monroe County 2

Atmore topped Monroe County 5-2 early Saturday morning, giving Monroe County its first loss of the tournament and advancing Atmore to the championship round.

Atmore scored two runs in the first inning, but Monroe County responded with two in the fourth to tie the game. Atmore moved ahead for good with three runs in the fifth inning.

Five players scored one run each for Atmore — Brunson, Buck, Price, Odom and Ragan. Price and Odom had back-to-back doubles in the fifth.

Atmore 8, Flomaton 7

Atmore jumped out to an 8-3 lead after four innings Friday night, and then had to hold off a late Flomaton rally to win its opening game of the district tournament.

Flomaton scored four runs in the top of the sixth inning, but Atmore was able to hang on for the one-run victory.

Brunson, Helton and Ragan each scored two runs for Atmore. Stevens and Baggett scored one run apiece.