The Newton County Little League All Stars finished pool play in the state tournament with a 2-2 record, weeks after winning the district tournament and reaching beyond where any other Newton County Recreation Commission Little League team has gone.

Thursday, Newton County fell to Martinez-Evans Little League 8-5, despite scoring two runs in the first inning. Martinez-Evans broke a 2-2 tie in the third inning with three runs, and outhit Newton County 14-9. Newton County finished with three errors, while Martinez Evans didn’t have one. Newton County was fresh off back-to-back wins, beating Toccoa Little League 4-3 Tuesday and the Belvedere All Stars 14-1 Monday.

Tuesday, Newton County needed every bit of the game’s six innings for the victory, scoring three in the final frame for the victory. Toccoa led 3-1 after three innings, before Newton County spoiled it.

Monday was a much shorter affair, with Newton needing only three innings of offense. Newton scored four runs in the first, six in the second and four in the third for a 14-1, run-ruled-shortened game.

Newton County Little League, in just its second year of existence, is aiming to reach the world series and an ESPN audience. If the team wins state, it will move on to the region championship, where it will face foes such as Alabama, Mississippi and Florida.

If the team advances past the region championship, it will move on to play in the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pa., on ESPN.