EUFAULA — Almost asking the impossible.

Selma had taken a 6-1 victory over previously unbeaten AUM-Montgomery in the Dixie Boys Baseball State Tournament at Old Creek Town Park.

Less than 12 hours later, the two met again for the chance to play Troy later for the state crown. AUM-Montgomery, however, used the long ball, clutch pitching and defense to eliminate Selma by a 7-2 score.

Selma manager Troy Anderson first pointed to the men left on base as the biggest problem.

“How many did we leave on base? Ten or 11?” he asked.

Nine total, but seven in scoring position.

“It’s tough trying to beat a good team twice in a row,” he said.

“We just didn’t take advantage of the opportunities. … We should have gotten more swings at the plate.”

Stranded runners were crucial in the first two innings for Selma.

Bases were loaded with one out in the first inning and no one scored.

In the second inning with no outs, runners at second and third bases were stranded after AUM-Montgomery pitcher Josh Brooks then struck out the side.

Meanwhile, AUM-Montgomery opened with a first-pitch home run by C.J. Duncan (his first of two homers). Then an unearned run scored on a fielding error.

“We pitched good enough to win, but our defense didn’t show up,” Anderson said.

Because of pitch-count rules, Anderson had to piece together a staff for Tuesday’s game.

Austin Anderson started and threw for two innings. Despite the two runs, he struck out one with no walks and two hits.

Joey Raybon tossed the next three innings for Selma, giving up five runs (three earned) on three hits with four strikeouts and three walks.

Dylan Lawrence, who knocked out two home runs Monday night — the only round-trippers collected by Selma during the tournament — tossed the final inning. He walked two and gave up no runs.

Anderson said he was proud of his team.

“They played their hearts out during the tournament,” he said. “They never gave up.”

Elton Reece followed the Selma All-Stars to the tournament in Eufaula. Reece is executive director of the Selma Parks and Recreation Department, which sponsors the all-star teams.

“I think it was a great experience,” he said. “All of the boys should carry something with them that they can use in the future. They represented the city of Selma well.”

After the game, the Selma All-Stars were given the Talmage Bowen Sportsmanship Award, which is named after a long-time official in Dix