The Columbiana Angels All-Stars went 6-1 in the Dixie Girls World Series in Eufaula, defeating Tennessee 12-2 in the championship game en route to the title.

Head Coach Ashley Phillips said the championship has been a long time coming.

&uot;This championship season actually began four years ago when the majority of this team began playing together,&uot; Phillips said. &uot;We expect good things to occur in the future as well.&uot;

The Angels outscored opponents 115-32 from the Sub-District tournament through the World Series.

The Angels opened the tournament with an 8-4 win over Louisiana. Chelsey Dunnaway pitched two innings, allowing two runs. Chelsey O’Shields pitched two innings of relief, allowing one run, and Elizabeth Waldrop closed the game allowing one run.

Dunnaway was 3-for-3 at the plate while Waldrop went 2-for-2. Josie Smith was 2-for-3 in the win. Meagan Billingsley scored two runs.

Columbiana dropped its only game of the series with a 6-1 loss to Virginia in the second game. Brooklyn Phillips scored the Angels’ only run.

The Angels bounded back in game No. 3, defeating Texas 1-0. Brooklyn Phillips pitched all six innings, striking out 17 batters, and was clocked with a radar gun at 61 mph.

Smith scored the winning run on a Brittney Calma double.

Ashley Phillips said that’s when things turned around for his team.

&uot;After the Texas win, team hitting dramatically improved,&uot; Phillips said. &uot;Defense became more improved with each game played.&uot;

The Angles proved that to be the case with a 15-7 win over Florida in game No. 4. Dunnaway started for one inning with two strikeouts and O’Shields pitched two innings with six strikeouts. Waldrop closed the door with three strikeouts in the fifth.

Brooklynn Phillips and Meagan Riddell each went 3-for-3 at the plate. Chelsey Payne had five RBI on 2-for-3 at the plate. O’Shields went 2-for-4 with three RBI.

Columbiana improved its record to 4-1 with a 4-0 win over Tennessee in game No. 5. Brittney Calma went 1-for-2 at the plate with two RBI and Riddell and Smith each had one RBI in the win. Dunnaway, Courtney Lawshe, Chasity Payne and Riddell each scored a run.

Brooklynn Phillips started and pitched the first, second and fifth innings with nine strikeouts. Dunnaway provided middle relief with three strikeouts.

The Angels got win No. 5 in game No. 6 against South Carolina 5-0. Brooklynn Phillips went 2-for-3 at the plate as did Payne. Payne had one RBI. O’Shields, Smith and Calma each had one RBI.

Dunnaway started and pitched two no-hit innings. O’Shields provided middle relief and Kira Chaudry came in to close by slamming the door with three strikeouts, advancing the Angels to the championship game.

Columbiana proved too strong for Tennessee in the championship, winning by a score of 12-2.

Shortstop Billingsley went 2-for-4 at the plate with a double and two runs scored. Brooklyn Phillips, playing first base, was 2-for-3 with a double, two runs scored, one RBI and one walk.

O’Shields, playing third base, was 3-for-3 with a double, a walk, two RBI and one run scored. Pitcher Dunnaway was 1-for-4 with a double, two RBI and one run scored.

At left center, Lawshe was 1-for-4 at the plate with two runs scored and two RBI. Payne, playing catcher, was 2-for-3 with a triple off the fence, three RBI and one run scored.

Riddell, at right center, was a perfect 3-for-3 at the plate with two doubles and one RBI. Calma, at second base, was 2-for-2 with a a double, a triple, one walk and two runs scored. Left fielder Kailey Goodwin was 1-for-2 with one RBI and one run scored.

Dunnaway started and pitched one three-up-three-down inning. O’Shields pitched the middle three innings and Brooklyn Phillips pitched to one batter to close the game in the fifth.

Billingsley caught two fly balls which saved runs with the bases loaded. Lawshe caught to deep fly balls which killed another Tennessee scoring threat.

Calma made all three outs in the fourth inning, recording two by turning a double play.

Ashley Phillips said the championship game was a total team effort.

&uot;We played great on both sides of the ball,&uot; Phillips said. &uot;It seemed a different player stepped up throughout the tournament to contribute to each win.

He also had a lot of people to thank.

&uot;I want to thank the assistant coaches for all their hard work and dedication to the girls,&uot; Phillips said.

&uot;I also want to thank all the parents for their confidence and cooperation and to the many people who contributed to the team which allowed for the team’s success.&uot;