Host Hopkins County, Texas, defeated the Kershaw County X Ponytails, 8-6, in the fourth round of the Dixie X Play Softball World Series in Hopkins County, Texas on Tuesday night.

The KC entry punched its ticket into the tournament by winning the South Carolina state championship two weeks earlier.

The locals, made up of 11- and 12-year olds, won their first two games in the Lone Star State to make their way in the winners’ bracket finals only to lose to Alabama, 13-4, on Monday night to fall into Tuesday’s elimination contest with the host team.

In Tuesday’s contest, Hopkins County jumped to a quick 3-1 lead before extending its advantage to 6-1.

KC staged a five-run rally in the bottom of the fifth to even things at 6-6 only for Hopkins County to score a pair in the sixth and hang on for the two-run victory.

Coached by Lee Stokes, the KC entry earned a top-four finish in the 10-team event.