CHELSEA &8212; A dozen teams battled all week at the Dixie Youth 7- and 8-year-old All-Star tournament, but by Friday evening there were only two left.

The Vincent American All-Stars played the Clanton All-Stars tough to the last inning in a best-of-three championship series. In the end, Vincent came up a few runs shy, but earned a second-place finish that brought them their first all-star tournament trophy in 10 years.

In the first game of the championship, Vincent American showed the determination that got them to the tournament finale. They won 26-25 on a six-run rally, after trailing by five going into the last inning.

The second game of the series, which started later that evening, saw Vincent&8217;s bats struggle, as they lost 16-5 in five innings.

The outcome to Saturday morning&8217;s final game was in the air until the last runner was tagged out.

After several lead changes, Clanton began to pull away with a 14-7 lead going into the bottom of the sixth. But Vincent American mounted another late-inning rally, pulling within three with two outs on the board before Clanton recorded the last out, and the championship.

Vincent American All-Star coach Yancy Davis said he was happy with his team&8217;s effort in the tournament. Davis has been coaching for the last four years and said the team amazed him with their progress.

&8220;It&8217;s unbelievable how much they&8217;ve improved,&8221; Davis said, &8220;They played with a lot of heart and a lot of courage to get here.&8221;

He also said it&8217;s been the toughest tournament he&8217;s ever been in, because of the 10 games teams played in less than seven days.

After the game, Vincent second baseman Ethan Davis said he enjoyed playing in the tournament and is looking forward to the next season.

&8220;It was fun,&8221; Davis said, adding his favorite part was the fielding and, &8220;running after the ball.&8221;