LAKE CHARLES, La. — Madeline Smith kept frustrating the Blanchard All-Stars both on the mound and at the plate as the Vidalia Americans Little League 11- and 12-year-old All-Stars took a 4-2 win Saturday afternoon at the state tournament.

Smith pitched all six innings and held Blanchard to just two hits. She struck out one batter and walked only one batter. And whenever she got in a jam, she got out of it.

“It was the best I’ve ever seen her throw in her life,” coach Barry Iseminger said. “She kept battling. The defense helped out behind her. She threw strikes. She put the ball in play.”

In addition to her solid complete-game outing, Smith went 3-for-3 at the plate with one run batted in. Allie Feltus also came through at the plate, going 2-for-3 with two runs scored and one RBI.

The Vidalia Americans also got some help from Blanchard’s defense, which committed a couple of errors that led to two of their runs.

“They made a few errors. We only had one error,” Iseminger said. “Our girls played a heck of a game and look forward to Monday night.”

The Vidalia Americans next play at 8 p.m. Monday against Lake Charles Red.

Lake Charles Red 11, Vidalia Nationals 11-12s 1

LAKE CHARLES, La. — It was a rough Saturday afternoon for the Vidalia Nationals Little League 11- and 12-year-old All-Stars as they lost their first game of the state tournament 11-1 in four innings to Lake Charles Red.

Jordan Sharp suffered the loss after going two innings. Becca Cowan pitched the final two innings. No other information on the game was available.

The Vidalia Nationals next play at 4 p.m. today against Lake Charles White.

Vidalia Coach-Pitch All-Stars 20, Blanchard 5

VIDALIA — Kinslee Young hit a home run and Allie Grace Magee went 3-for-3 with a double as the Vidalia Coach Pitch Little League All-Stars defeated Blanchard 20-5 in four innings Saturday afternoon at the state tournament at the Concordia Recreation District 3 Complex.

Lily Crum went 3-for-3 with a triple while Addie Johnson was 3-for-3 with a pair of doubles. Charley Prunty was also 3-for-3 at the plate for Vidalia.

“Everybody hit the ball good. They came out a little bit slow in the field. They had a few jitters,” Vidalia coach Ryan Crum said. “After the first inning, everybody hit the ball. The second inning we had 14 runs.”

And while Vidalia had its share of extra-base hits, it was the use of small ball that was big during the second inning.

“We had several key bunts. That was probably the key to they game. They laid down some good bunts,” Crum said.

The Vidalia Coach-Pitch All-Stars will take on Bossier City today at 6 p.m.

Vidalia Nationals 9-10s 9, Bossier City 7

NEW IBERIA, La. — Jessi White and Jaden Boydstun combined to strike out 11 batters as the Vidalia Nationals Little League 9- and 10-year-old All-Stars pulled off yet another upset at the state tournament, this time stunning No. 1 seed Bossier City 9-7 Saturday morning.

White got the start and was the winning pitcher despite giving up five runs. She did, however, strike out six batters. Boydstun came on to pitch the final three innings and held Bossier City to just two runs and she struck out five batters.

But as Vidalia Nationals coach Bo Sproles noted, the final score should not have been even this close.

“We had a 7-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning. First pitch, Maddie Shows gets a base hit. There were a couple of hit batters and several walks. If we had hit the ball at all, we could have won 20-0. They couldn’t pitch to us today,” Sproles said.

Bossier City was able to come back and make a game of it, but the Vidalia Nationals made a sensational defensive play for the final out of the game that ended Bossier City’s last comeback bid.

“We ended the game on the best play down here. One of their speed demons is on second. They hit one to the outfield. We throw back in to home. Lauren Dunbar had a spectacular sideswipe at home to tag her out,” Sproles said.

Sproles added that Meah Peoples and Saige Smith each made key catches during the game that kept the Vidalia Nationals in the lead. He added that Bossier City’s defense kept them in the game.

Avery Ward had the only other hit for the Vidalia Nationals with what Sproles described as “a long double that should have been a triple.” The game lasted two and a half hours.

The Vidalia Nationals return to the field at 11 a.m. today against New Orleans East Bank.

Blanchard 11, Vidalia Americans 9-10s 10

NEW IBERIA, La. — The Vidalia Americans Little League 9- and 10-year-old All-Stars had plenty of offense, but a rough start and too many miscues by their defense led to a tough 11-10 loss to No. 2 seed Blanchard in a losers’ bracket game Saturday morning at the state tournament.

Unfortunately for the Vidalia Americans, their run in the state tournament did not last very long – two and done. They did have a chance to keep playing in the postseason in the sixth inning.

“In the last inning, we had runners on second and third and Chloe (Smith) hit the ball back to their pitcher, who threw to first for the final out,” Vidalia Americans coach Brent McCarthy said.

Chloe Smith got the start today and Blanchard got to her early and often. She struck out just one batter and lasted one-plus innings. Lily McCarthy came on in relief and did her best to keep the Vidalia Americans in the game.

“Lily struck out nine (Friday) and she struck out eight or nine today,” coach McCarthy said. “We played good. We just made a few fielding errors.”

Alexia Bond was the only multiple hitter for the Vidalia Americans as she went 2-for-3. All of the team’s base hits were singles.

Natchez 5-6s win two games at state tournament

MAGEE — With their backs against the wall and facing elimination, the Natchez Dixie Youth 5- and 6-year-old All-Stars won two games Saturday at the Mississippi Dixie Youth SweeTees State Tournament.

Natchez defeated Purvis 15-7 Saturday morning. Ally Blanton led the way for the Natchez 5-6 All-Stars, going 3-for-3 with a double. Kate Harley went 3-for-3 and Anna Leigh Jordan was 2-for-2 with a double.

In the second game of the day, Natchez took care of Sumrall 20-6 in just four innings. Addison Massey, Kate Harley, Emery Cate Lewis and Vivian Varnado each smacked two doubles and Caroline Carlton hit a home run.

“Defensively, we played great. Offensively, we hit top to bottom of the lineup. We put the cover off the ball,” Natchez 5-6s coach Luke Janette said. “The second game, we had a perfect first inning. We scored 10 runs and with a home run (by Carlton) to end it. It was just great effort. They showed up to play today.”

The Natchez 5- and 6-year-old All-Stars play again at 7:30 p.m. Monday against an opponent to be determined.

Natchez 8s win two out of three at state tournament

KOSCIUSKO — The Natchez Dixie Youth 8-year-old All-Stars had a good showing Saturday at the state tournament by taking two of three games, including one that was postponed due to inclement weather late Friday afternoon.

But even going 2-1 on the day would not be enough for them to keep their season going.

In its first game of the day, which picked up Saturday morning, Natchez held on for a 7-5 win over Carthage. Coleman Carter went 3-for-3 with a triple and a home run while Gabe Orr was 2-for-3 with a double and a triple.

Then on late Saturday afternoon, Natchez took care of Pontotoc 11-1. Lane was 3-for-3 with a double and a home run while Jamie Wilson was 2-for-2 with a home run.

Unfortunately for the Natchez 8s, their run in the state tournament ended Saturday night when they were defeated by Columbia 19-4. Both Lane and Carter went 2-for-2.

“This was the first time these boys had made it to the state tournament. They did well,” Natchez 8s coach David Carter said. “They played well for not a lot of time together. Defensively, our boys turned four double plays in the tournament.”