Starkville 11-year-olds reach state title game

WINONA – Three-straight wins at the Dizzy Dean East State Tournament has landed the Starkville 11-year-old All-Stars in the championship round today.

Starkville began its run with an 8-3 victory over Caledonia on Thursday, then it shut out Senatobia 21-0 on Friday.

After having its game with Winona rained out on Saturday, Starkville didn't let the distraction of being delayed hamper its progress and doubled-up Winona 14-7 in four innings Sunday.

Starkville will now have to be beaten twice today to be denied the East State title.

Although pleased with Sunday's victory, Starkville coach Brent DeWeese wants more out of his team today when it goes for a championship.

"Anytime you win it's great, but I expect us to come out and play better (today)," DeWeese said. "We did not play very well (on Sunday)."

In Sunday's victory, Starkville scored three runs in the first inning to immediately gain an advantage in the outing. It added five runs in the second and three more in the third to take a commanding 11-0 lead.

Winona scored all seven of its runs in the third inning and found itself back in the game by only being down 11-7.

Starkville was able to score three more times in the fourth frame and held Winona scoreless in the bottom of the inning to secure the triumph.

Leading the 11-hit attack for Starkville was Torin Brooks with three hits. Briggs Bennett, Parker Simpson and Justin Harris had two hits each, while Cohen DeWeese and John Steven Card had one hit each.

The only extra base hits came from Simpson and Harris with one double each. Simpson drove in four of the 14 runs.

Cameron Ellis, Harris and Simpson split the pitching duties for Starkville. Ellis started and struck out four.

Starkville will play Winona for the championship at 11 a.m. today.