The 2007 defending Dixie Boys World Series champion South Carolina went down in a hard fought battle Saturday, dropping a 8-7 decision to Texas at City Pond Park.

Texas struck first when Josh Esch hit a Trent Pannell fast ball over the center field fence.

"He threw me a fast ball letter high and I got the sweet part of the bat on it," said Esch.

Esch started on the mound for the Lone Star state that held South Carolina to just 7 hits.

The boys from South Carolina were not about to go down without a fight, making several attempts to come back. But Texas was just too strong at the plate with Esch going yard once more in the fifth to tie the game.

Then Jordan Jones stepped up and hit a shot over the right field fence to break the tie and take a one-point lead, a lead Texas never relinquished.

"South Carolina is a good team," said Texas head coach Jack Chennault. "We had good pitching and great hitting, but that's the reason we're here."

Louisiana took on Mississippi in the third game, winning 10-8. The game kept going back and forth before the Louisiana team took control in the final two innings to secure the victory.

Texas will face Louisiana at 7 p.m. today, and South Carolina will meet up with Mississippi at 1 p.m. today.