Hartselle’s Dixie 13-year-old all-stars are gearing up this week for their next level of competition – the State Dixie Baseball Tournament – in Enterprise.

The double elimination tournament will get underway on Friday, July 15, with a welcome ceremony and dinner. First round play will begin on Saturday with the final scheduled on Wednesday, July 20. Hartselle is slated to play one game on Saturday and one game on Sunday and will have an off day on Monday if it wins its first two games.

Hartselle landed a state berth by defeating Moulton 15-5 in the district final on July 4.  The team has been swinging hot bats in tournament action, having racked up 16 hits in each of its two district matches.

“We’ve been hitting the ball really well and hopefully they can keep it going,” said head coach Tad Montgomery. “The key for us at state is going to be pitching. “We’re pitching by committee, using several kids on the mound.”

“What stands out about this group of players is they play together as a team,” Montgomery stated. “They’re a close-knit group on and off the field and they compliment each other.”

“We’ve got in a lot of practice time since district and done some fundraising work,” he added. “The players are ready to go.”

Team members are Blake Adams, Bradley Bloodworth, Jacob Chaney, Caleb Finn, Heath Grimes, Collins Hanners, Nic James, Josh McCarley, Hunter Montgomery, Jacob Rasom, Austin Teague and Ghaith Vest.

Working with Montgomery as assistant coaches are Jeff Hanners and Jeff Chaney. Robbie Cowan is assisting the team as an off-the-field coach.