While a Natchez team has been there before, Georgia’s Columbia County will be making its first trip to the Dixie Youth 11-12 World Series.

Georgia faces Natchez at 6 p.m. Monday in a first-round contest at Marshall, Texas.

Natchez went undefeated through state, defeating Laurel for the championship last week. In 1993, the Natchez 11-12 All-Stars won state and played three games at the Dixie Youth World Series in Marshall, Texas.

Columbia County, which plays its games in Appling, Ga., just outside of Augusta, went 7-0 to capture the Georgia title in Sewanee, Ga.

&uot;Columbia County teams have done real well in 15-16-year-olds,&uot; said Georgia coach Angel Torres. &uot;They just won their second World Series title in a row in Alabama.&uot;

Torres said Columbia County’s Dixie Youth program begins at the age of 11-12.

&uot;Before that they play in the Georgia Parks and Recreation league,&uot; he said.

Torres credits a positive attitude, hitting and good pitching for his team’s ability to win the state title.

&uot;A lot of people didn’t expect us to show up,&uot; he said.

&uot;I think we kind of snuck up on a lot of folks.&uot;

Torres said he has nine pitchers on the team, but usually goes with only five.

&uot;They have pretty average fastball and curve balls,&uot; he said. &uot;We have a good defense. We made a lot of good defensive plays in the tournament.&uot;

Torres said his team is basically a base-hitting squad.

&uot;But fortunately we found a little bit of power and hit a few home runs in the state tournament,&uot; he said.

Although it’s the first time an 11-12 team has made it to the World Series, Torres said he believes his team will be ready to play.

&uot;There are a lot of good teams in Georgia, so we’ve faced good competition,&uot; he said.

&uot;We’re real excited about making the trip.&uot;

The game will be broadcast locally on WNAT 1450 AM.