Thanks to a call reversal, the 11-and 12-year-old Selma Red All-Stars got to celebrate twice Wednesday night at the Dallas County Sportsplex.

Selma defeated Thomasville 4-2 in the district championship to clinch a spot in the state baseball tournament in Centreville July 17, but it wasn’t without some late game drama. The game appeared over when Selma pitcher Darrius Ellis struck out Thomasville’s Ryan McCreery and Jackson Gleason was doubled up for a double play in the top of the sixth.

After the double play, both teams ran off the field, the Selma All-Stars and coaches celebrated and city officials started pulling equipment toward the field to do the post game presentation.

However, the game was far from over.

After a short discussion, umpires decided to change the call, saying McCreery fouled off the pitch. The call took two outs off the board and halted Selma’s celebration.

McCreery’s continued at bat resulted in a walk and after another walk, Thomasville had the bases loaded with leadoff batter Avery Malone at the plate swinging for the fences. Selma kept its cool and it paid off. Ellis forced Malone to fly out to left field and then the real celebration was on.

“It felt like we had to win it twice,” said Selma Red head coach Nathan Ellis. “I didn’t think it was a foul ball. The fans didn’t think it was a foul ball, but it’s what the umpires say. The umpires did a good job. Overall, they did a good job.”

The win means the 11-and 12-year-olds have reached the state tournament for the second consecutive season, but they have a completely different roster this time around. Ellis said only his son Darrius and Osegia Aghedo were on the team last year.

“It’s a step forward form last year,” Ellis said. “Last year we had to go through the sub-state to get to the state. But winning at home in front of your crowd, your parents and your fans, that’s big time.”

Selma took control early by being aggressive.

After stealing second and third base, Tyreshon Freeman also stole home by timing a pitch from Malone to give Selma a 1-0 lead.

“The pitcher was in the wind-up and we needed that run,” Ellis said. “Once he gets in the wind-up and go, we can beat the ball to the plate.”

Selma added to its lead in the third when Cade Whitaker grounded out, but scored Chris Gardner to make it 2-0. A double by Ellis scored Matthew Hand and Chambers McGilberry to add two more runs for Selma.

Meanwhile, the Selma defense kept making big play after big play.

Gardner made an unbelievable jumping catch at shortstop to rob Thomasville’s Jita Thompson in the first inning. In the third, Darrius Ellis caught a fly ball in center field and then threw out Quandre Burroughs at home to preserve Selma’s lead.

“Those two plays made the difference in the game,” Ellis said.

Thomasville inched closer with two runs in the fifth inning, but Freeman never got rattled. He threw five solid innings before turning the ball over to Darrius Ellis, who picked up the save.

The win capped a wild tournament for Selma Red, which lost its first game to Monroe and had to go through the loser’s bracket to win it all.

“We regrouped and talked about a few things,” Ellis said. “It was mostly about being disciplined at the plate … After the first night of the tournament we did that.”

Selma defeated Selma Blue, Monroe and Thomasville twice to win the tournament.