Young baseball players from Russellville recently had the opportunity to make long-lasting memories by participating in the 2021 Alabama Dixie Youth State Tournament.

Three teams from Russellville earned the right to take the field in state competition this year to finish up successful seasons on the diamond.

The 6U team went to Gordon Davis Park in Cottondale for the State A North Division II Tournament. Russellville’s 10U Rookie squad made its way to Oxford for the Rookie State AAA Tournament, and the 10U team battled competition in the Division II AAA State Tourney at Bowers Park in Tuscaloosa.

The 10U Russellville boys started their tournament with a win over Munford June 25. The next day, Russellville lost to a talented Ariton team and then fell to Geneva to wrap up the season.

Twelve teams were in the bracket, with Mims, Decatur National, North Jackson, Valley, Marbury, Bellingrath and South Bibb joining Russellville, Munford and Ariton to round out the field.

In 6U action, Russellville Gold opened play with a loss to South Bibb June 25 in the double-elimination bracket but came back strong with a win over Cottondale before falling again to South Bibb. Joining Russellville, South Bibb and Cottondale in the tourney were teams from Greenhill, West Alabama and White Plains.

Russellville’s 10U Rookie team started bracket play with a loss to South Dale June 24 and fell to Troy the following day in the double-elimination tournament. Seven other teams joined Russellville, South Dale and Troy in the 10U Rookie group: Southeastern, Clanton, Municipal Park National, Enterprise, Montgomery American, Alexandria and AUM.

In the championship game, AUM defeated Alexandria for the state title and the opportunity to participate in the Rookie World Series starting July 23 in Texarkana, Ark. South Dale was the recipient of the sportsmanship award.