ED YARBOROUGH FIELD — The Cherokee American 11- and 12-year-old All-Stars held off a final-inning rally to earn their way into the state tournament with a dramatic 8-7 win over the Cherokee Nationals Thursday night.

A crowd of over 200 fans, family and friends braved temperatures in the mid-90s to watch the two evenly matched squads battle back and forth for the right to travel to Eufala on July 17 as the representative from District 8.

The Americans, mostly players from Centre, fell behind early to the Nationals, comprised of players from Sand Rock and Cedar Bluff.

Caylon Simpson's two-run homer in the bottom of the first gave the Nationals a lead that they held until the Americans scored five runs in the bottom of the third inning.

Nursing a 2-1 lead, the Nationals starting pitcher walked the bases loaded before coaches went with reliever Cole Kucharski. The heart of the Americans lineup immediately took advantage of the change when Josh Decker's single scored Colin Edwards to tie the game at 2-2.

The next batter was cleanup hitter Colin Brewer, whose line drive to third base was mishandled allowing two more runs to score. Bronson Chandler's two-out double pushed two more runs across the plate before the Nationals got out of the inning.

The Americans scored two more runs in the bottom of the fourth to make the score 8-3 – and then the fireworks began.

After a pitching change by the Americans to begin the sixth and final inning, the Nationals loaded the bases for center fielder Gage Davis, whose grand slam home run with two outs made the score 8-7.

The next batter grounded out to third, ending the game.

Americans assistant coach Jed Lockridge said the one constant throughout the tournament was the way his team kept a positive attitude, regardless of the situation.

“They just never get down,” Lockridge said. “They stayed together and kept their heads together in every game.”

Centre was hosting its first district tournament for the 11-12 age group in at least a decade, according Centre Parks Dept. Director Charles Glazner.

“We've had a great turnout, 200-plus people every night since Friday” for the eight-team tourney, Glazner said.

Dixie Youth League President Kevin Green said he was proud of the teams and the response from the community.

“It really has been tremendous, despite the heat we've had a lot of people come out and show their support for our all-stars,” Green said. “Without the support of the city of Centre none of this would have been possible.”