Alabama wins with 2 in the 7th Louisiana 9, Texas 5

MUSCLE SHOALS - Alabama and Virginia needed late heroics to advance in the winner's bracket at the Junior Dixie Boys World Series on Sunday at the Muscle Shoals Sportsplex.

Alabama rallied from a 3-1 deficit to beat Georgia 4-3 with a run in the sixth and two in the seventh. Virginia scored six times in the final two innings to stun Florida 7-5.

The tournament continues today with four games, including an Alabama-Virginia showdown at 7 p.m.

Alabama 4, Georgia 3

After trailing throughout, Alabama scored twice in the top of the seventh to rally past Georgia.

Jameis Winston did a little bit of everything for Hueytown. In addition to picking up the win with six strikeouts, he also went 2-for-3, driving home the tying run and scoring the winning run.

"Jameis has been injured and this was his first appearance in the tournament," Alabama coach Bubba Smith said. "For him to be able to pitch the entire game for us the way he did, then come through and get the big hit, was outstanding."

Georgia, represented by Columbia County, scored its runs in the first two innings. Winston, however, recovered and scattered five hits over the final five innings.

Mitch Borror led Georgia with two hits.

Alabama's offense got going late. After scoring a run in the third, Hueytown inched closer with a run in the sixth. An RBI single by Kyle Bolden brought home Brent Reeves in the sixth.

In the seventh, Jordan Forshee led off with a double and scored on Winston's single. After stealing second and third, he scored on Blade Dailey's base hit.

Virginia 7, Florida 5

Virginia took its first lead when it really mattered. After a five-run first inning gave Florida the lead, the state champions from Halifax County rallied late to post the comeback win and stay in the winner's bracket.

A two-run home run by Tyler Long provided the winning runs for Virginia. The blast was part of a three-run sixth inning that also had Dylan Sons pick up an RBI base hit.

"Our pitching was a little shaky early, but they stuck with it and pulled it out at the end," Virginia coach Bo Sons said. "Our guys know how to hang in there and keep playing. Our sticks came through even if it was a little late for my heart."

Although only managing only on hit in the first by Noah Wilcox, Florida took advantage of an error and four walks. Okeechobee sent nine batters to the plate to score its five runs.

Virginia answered on Long's RBI single, and then used a three-run fifth inning rally to get within striking distance.

Four hits led to three runs in the fifth, including another by Long, who finished 3-for-4 with three RBI.

Sons and L.J. Barnett also had two hits each for Virginia.

Tennessee 7, Mississippi 5

Tennessee jumped out to a 5-0 lead and held off a late surge by Mississippi to stay alive with a victory in an elimination game.

Brandon Martin went 3-for-4 with three singles to lead Tennessee state champion Goodlettsville. Toby Lee and Kyle Hood also each went 2-for-4. Kyle Hood went the distance, getting the victory after striking out five and allowing seven hits in seven innings of work.

Tennessee scored three runs in the bottom of the first inning and two in the third.

After Tennessee scored two more runs in the third to take a five-run lead, Mississippi, represented by Oak Grove, made its move. Chase Chancellor scored in the fourth and Christian Chauvin crossed home plate in the sixth to make the score 5-2.

A seven-run second inning propelled Louisiana past Texas,. The big inning helped Louisiana overcome an early 2-0 deficit and take control of the game.

After scoring a run in the first inning, the state champs from Bossier City, La., sent 10 batters to the plate in the second to take an 8-2 lead. Texas was able to close the gap to 8-5 at one point, but would get no closer.

Kolbe Schufft went 2-for-4 with an RBI and was one of nine Louisiana players to collect a hit in the game. Thomas Stanfield picked up the win on the mound after pitching the first two innings.

Two other Louisiana pitchers combined to limit Texas to five hits.

Christian Schelhouse led Texas at the plate, going 3-for-4 with a pair of RBI.