The Covington County 15U All-Stars put up a strong fight, but fell 5-3 to Atmore on Monday night in the district championship game in Brewton.

Atmore and Covington County aren’t in the same district, but Atmore’s district didn’t have enough teams to play.

Covington County still advances to today’s state tournament in Childersburg as district champions.

In the top of the first inning, Atmore’s first two batters reached after being hit by a pitch, but the Covington County All-Stars showed grit as they kept Atmore off the board in the opening frame.

Chandler Mitchell got things going for Covington County as he ripped a double into the gap to lead off the bottom of the first inning.

The County All-Stars took a lead when Mitchell scored off an error off the bat of Bryant Harper.

Harper moved around to third on a ground out from Clay Ashberry and then came around to score on a sacrifice from Caleb Meredith to give the County All-Stars a 2-0 lead after one inning of play.

In the top of the second inning, Mitchell struck out the first batter he faced before giving up a single.

Mitchell then got a ground out and another strikeout to end the Atmore half of the second.

Brady Hamrac drew a walk to start the bottom of the second inning and then stole second base, but a pair of pop outs and a strikeout ended the frame.

Mitchell got a ground out and a strikeout to start the top of the third inning before an error gave Atmore a base runner.

However, Mitchell got the next batter to ground out back to the mound for the final out.

The County All-Stars got two quick outs to start the bottom of the third inning before a two-out spark gave them some life.

Ashberry got things started with a two-out single and then moved up to second when Meredith drew a walk.

Jonathan Cooley then loaded up the bases for the County All-Stars with a single, but then a strikeout snuffed out the scoring threat.

After a hit batter started the top of the fourth inning, Atmore got three hits and an error that helped them take a 3-2 lead.

With a runner in scoring position, Mitchell struck out the seventh batter of the inning to help limit the Atmore scoring.

In the bottom of the fourth inning, Grant Barton drew a two-out walk and then quickly stole second.

Mitchell then knotted the game up when he drove in Barton with a single.

In the top of the fifth inning, Mitchell plunked the first batter before getting the next batter two ground out.

Atmore then got a one-out single to put runner on first and third.

Mitchell bore down and struck out the next two batters swinging.

However, Atmore was able to take one run in the sixth and seventh innings to help them to a 5-3 victory.

The Covington County All-Stars begin their quest for a state title today at 5:30 when they take on Sylacauga in Childersburg in the opening round of the 2017 Alabama Cal Ripken 15U State Tournament.

Sylacauga is the defending state champions.