The team beat the Newton County American All Stars in a game played in Forsyth by a final score of 7-6.

 The National team scored 15 runs in the top of the sixth in the previous game against Jones County for a 22-13 win. They also earned victories over Newton American 12-1, Jasper County 12-2 and Lamar County 11-1.

 The team fought their way through the losers' bracket as they opened the double elimination tournament with a 20-13 loss to North Macon.

 The title earned the team an automatic berth in the state tournament which will be played at Mountain Park in Gwinnett County starting on July 18.

 Despite the youth of the team, Coach Dee Jay Wilson said he believes that they are well prepared for the state tournament. Some of the players saw action in the state tournament in the Pee-Wee Division last year and have played together on all star teams as far back as T-ball.

 "The close games and come from behind victories should help assure that they won't be intimidated by anyone at the state tournament," Wilson wrote in an e-mail.

 The team includes 10-year olds Stephen Arena, Noah Quick, Chase Raines, Cameron Rusk and Caleb Sauls, and 9-year olds Jacob Bowen, Cole Green, Shane Hupp, Zach Lister, Jacob Spivey, Bailey Thompson and TJ Wilson. Wilson is assisted by Jeff Lister and Scott Sauls. For more information, please visit www.leaguelineup.com/newton-national.