The Concordia 14-year-old Dixie Boys All-Stars are one game away from the championship game of the district tournament.

Last night in Sterlington, La., Concordia defeated Monroe 10-4 to advance in the winner’s bracket of the 12-team tourney. Concordia is 3-0 in the event. It will play East Ouachita at 8 p.m tonight. Brett Hinson led the way for Concordia, hurling a three-hitter while striking out 10 hitters.

&uot;He had good command of his pitches,&uot; coach Jerry Roberts said.

Patrick Golden and Earl Keith hit home runs to guide the offensive attack, which pounded out 12 or 13 hits, Roberts said.

Aggressive at the plate has been the key for Concordia’s run.

&uot;They (the players) got a good eye at the plate, and they’re hitting the ball well,&uot; Roberts said.

He added that two opposing coaches came up to him after the game to ask him what his team’s secret to hitting success was.

Playing good team baseball has been the other factor in the run.

&uot;We’re just playing good team baseball, from everybody on the bench to everyone on the field,&uot; Roberts said. &uot;To win championships, you’ve got to have role players.&uot;

Roberts had a feeling that the Concordia team could win the whole tournament from the start.

&uot;I said from the get-go, from the first practice, that the team has a ton of potential.&uot;

And Roberts likes his chances to win the whole thing.

&uot;Somebody’s got to beat us twice. And it’s going to be difficult the way we’re hitting the baseball,&uot; Roberts said.