The South Alabama 8-and-under All-Stars team defeated Covington County 11-7 Friday afternoon in the first round of the 2010 Alabama state Babe Ruth softball tournament at the Andalusia Sports Complex.

South Alabama struck first and scored two quick runs in the second inning.

Covington County answered with one run in the second inning to cut South Alabama’s lead to one run.

In the third inning, South Alabama scored four runs to take a 6-1 lead.

Covington County kept scratching and clawing putting two runs on the board in the fourth inning to bring South Alabama’s lead to only three runs.

But South Alabama outscored Covington County 6-5 in the sixth inning to take the win.

Leading scorers for South Alabama were Kasey Owens and Tylin Sheridan with three runs; Emory Garner, Maisy Garner, Lindsey Stephens, Sydney Ray and Chloe Mikel scored one run each.

For Covington County, Dallas Mackoff, Bella Worley and Allie Hawkins scored two runs each; and Abby McDuffy scored one run in the loss.

In other 8-and-under action, Alexander City beat Elba, 8-1.

South Alabama will play Alexander City at noon today in the second round of the tournament of the winner’s bracket.