GONZALES, La. &045; Tam Winston says he knew this bunch was special back in coach-pitch.

Three years later the Vidalia Minor League All-Stars are proving him right.

The All-Stars took a 10-3 win over the host Gonzales Americans Monday at the South Regoinal state tournament to advance to the championship round. The All-Stars will face Ville Platte at 5:30 p.m. today in the championship round of the tournament.

The All-Stars need to win twice to be the South champ, while Ville Platte needs just one win. The winner will face the North champ in a best-of-three series for the state championship and a spot in the World Series.

&uot;With the limited pitching we’ve got, we’ve done well,&uot; Winston said.&160;&uot;We’re proud of them. The community has been good to us, too. They’re a supportive community.&uot;

The All-Stars got the huge contributions at the plate for the second straight night to take the quick lead. After Sunday’s 24-14 win, Monday’s win put the All-Stars’ run total for the tournament at 50 &045; by far the most of the remaining teams in the tournament.

The All-Stars got one in the first, two in the second and five in the third to take the quick 8-0 lead.

That was plenty of room for Jake Winston to work, who struck out 10, allowed two hits and two runs while walking four in five innings. Cory Williams pitched the sixth after Jake Winston reached his maximum innings for the tournament following the fifth.

&uot;He got in a groove pretty early,&uot; Tam Winston said. &uot;He probably didn’t throw as hard as he’s been throwing, but he worked hard and threw a changeup in there. He didn’t throw (the change) much in league because he didn’t have to.&uot;

The All-Stars blew it open in the third with the five runs, three of which came on an Allen Smith homer for the 8-0 lead. Jake Winston doubled and moved up on a Dee Garrison single before Devin Barnes doubled in Winston for a 4-0 lead.

Wiliams doubled home Garrison, and Smith’s home run brought in Barnes and Williams.

Vidalia got a run in the first off starter Connor Bourque when Williams doubled home Barnes. in the second the All-Stars got runs when J.T. McFarland doubled home Matt Souderes and Brandon Warshaw singled home McFarland.