Dunn got a three-run homer from Ross Stevens and a two-run round tripper from Jalen Evans in an 8-7 win over West Robeson in the Dixie Youth Majors (12-and-under) state baseball tournament in Kenansville on Thursday.
The outcome eliminated West Robeson and sent the local All-Stars into the championship against Leland this evening.
Dunn was edged 2-1 by Leland in their previous meeting. Dunn needs two wins over their opponents from Brunswick County to get the state champions’ berth in the World Series in Lumberton. Leland can wrap up the state crown with a win in the game at 5 p.m.
Dunn coach Charlie Stevens has all of his pitchers available except Evans, who went the last three innings on the mound on Thursday night.
John Nelson McLamb and Stevens combined to pitch the first three innings against West Robeson. The Dunn hurlers allowed a total of four hits while striking out six.
“Eight walks kept them in the game,” noted Coach Stevens.
Dunn had nine hits. Stevens had a double and a home run. Wyatt Lucas, Hunter Tyndall, Anthony Jones, Evans, McLamb, Braxton Davis and Jamari Thompson also had hits for Dunn.
Stevens’ homer and a two-run single up the middle by Thompson provided a 5-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning. Evans hit his homer in Dunn’s three-run third.