MONROE, La. — Concordia Parish 7- and 8-year-old All-Stars topped Union Parish 16-13 to start its Dixie Youth State tournament Thursday.

Concordia led 14-4 late in the game, but Union scored six runs in one inning to close the gap to 16-10.

“We have to stay relaxed and stay focused, and we’ll get through,” coach Terence Williams said. “Once (Union) started hitting, they felt intimidated.”

Concordia added two insurance runs to hold on and win in four innings.

Williams said the team will need to adjust its defense to beat the formidable, late-round teams.

“We played sloppy, and we made some errors,” Williams said. “It was up and down all game.”

Tristan Burns was 3-for-3 with three runs scored, while TJ Williams was 3-for-3 with two runs scored.

Concordia will attempt to keep the momentum going at 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. today.