The Covington County 8U All-Stars scratched and clawed their way to clinch the 2017 Babe Ruth Softball Southwest Regional championship Friday in Houma, La.

“These girls have the will power and desire to win,” County coach Erin Byrd said. “We are very excited to be bringing the region title back to Covington County. The girls never gave up. That’s a credit to their character. They knew they had what it takes to win.”

ST. CHARLES 12,

COVINGTON 11

In the opening game of the series, the County All-Stars put up a strong fight, but fell 12-11 to St. Charles.

The County All-Stars got things off to a blazing start as they drove balls into the gaps to take a 5-0 lead in the top of the first inning.

In third inning, back-to-back hits helped give the County All-Stars a 7-3 lead.

St. Charles then grabbed the lead heading into the final inning.

In the top of the sixth inning, Alex Williamson drove in a run with a double to tie the game at 9-9.

Addyson Bryd then came through with a two-run double that put the County All-Stars on top 11-9.

However, St. Charles tacked on three runs in the bottom of the inning to pick up a 12-11 win and force a decisive game two.

COVINGTON 10,

ST. CHARLES 9

After falling in the first game, the County All-Stars rallied to a 10-9 victory to win the regional title over St. Charles.

St. Charles went up 5-1 in the top of the third inning, but the County All-Stars pushed through to go up 8-7 in the bottom of the fourth inning.

The County All-Stars kept St. Charles off the scoreboard in the fifth inning, but they got a run in the top of the sixth to send the game into extra innings.

In the extra innings, the County All-Stars fell behind 9-8 before pushing across two runs in the bottom of the seventh to give them a 10-9 victory.

Piper Bulger came through with the final hit that brought in the winning run.

“These girls are just amazing,” Byrd said. “They hung in and never let got down on themselves. These girls have just worked very had and they deserve to be region champions.”

With the regional championship, the County All-Stars will the opportunity to compete in the World Series in Jensen Beach, Fla.