The Selma Times-Journal

Decatur American’s 13-year-old All-Stars worked their way through a 24-team World Series, falling in the final game. One-year later as 14-year-olds, the squad had a simple goal – go back to the Series.

On Saturday afternoon, they accomplished that goal. Decatur American posted back-to-back wins against Daphne to advance to the World Series in Muscle Shoals.

The squad clad in orange jerseys won the state championship in dominating fashion. Ben Bullard posted a no-hitter with 10 strikeouts.

He faced 23 batters and only allowed three baserunners.

The three base runners allowed over seven innings, were a product of an error by the catcher in the early innings and then back-to-back walks.

Decatur jumped out to a 1-0 lead when Jeff Hill scored.

Two innings later, Decatur American broke the game open with a trio of runs. Trey Richard, Carson Minton and Russ Sandlin all scored runs.

Bullard recorded strikeouts nine and 10 before forcing Hunter Adams to fly out to centerfield, securing the championship.

Daphne posted the first win of the best-of-three series to the tune of 9-2.

The Daphne charge was led by a five-run second inning. Decatur posted a pair of runs in the sixth, but couldn’t get any closer.

Their momentum continued into game two, with the possibility of a sweep, Daphne jumped ahead early, but after the officials from Dixie changed into their professional attire and brought the trophy to field level, ended losing 3-2 to split the series.

For Daphne, this year’s squad will go to different high schools and get ready for football season.

Decatur American gets to play baseball a little while longer.

Decatur American will face Louisiana’s state champion in the first round of the World Series.

As 13-year-olds, Decatur hooked it up with a Lousiana squad and defeated them to move on in the tournament.