By Brannon King / For the FCT

Russellville has been the home of talented athletes on the baseball diamond in recent years, and the future continues to look bright with the success of the Dixie Youth 8U All Stars.

The young group of players recently advanced to the state tournament, which will begin Friday in Dothan.

The Russellville team went undefeated in sub-district play, held in Phil Campbell, with great defense and timely hitting. The All Stars outscored opponents by a 54-5 margin in four wins to take the trophy.  Russellville defeated Colbert Heights 15-0 before beating Winfield by a 9-2 score. Russellville then bested Phil Campbell 18-1 before topping Central 12-2.

During district play in Haleyville, Russellville again dominated the competition. The All Stars won five out of six games to take the District 11 crown.

The All Stars took down Red Bay by a 16-1 tally before defeating Lexington 24-5 and Rogersville 17-3.  They kept their hot hitting going with an 11-8 victory over a talented Haleyville team before dropping a game to Winfield 8-7. Russellville answered with a 5-3 win over Winfield in the finals to take the rematch and the title.

After outscoring opponents by a combined 134-33 margin in sub-district and district play, Russellville will take on Decatur American in the first game at state July 6 at 3 p.m.

The team is made up of 12 players: Drake Ergle, Colton Ashton, Konner Trapp, Paxton Smith, Brooks Gault, Ridge Stockton, Carter Clement, Darron Jones, Brody Rickard, Gavin McGee, Cade Willis and Zade Hester. The coaching staff for the team is Jon Smith, Coty Rickard, Derek Ergle and Patrick McGee.