The Barnwell Belles All-Stars (14- to 15-year-olds) are champions of Dixie District 4 softball.

On June 23 at the Batesburg-Leesville complex, Barnwell captured the top prize by beating the Saluda team with a score of 12-2.

Superb hitting and solid pitching paved the way to victory for the Barnwell Belles. At the plate, Barnwell battered Saluda's pitching by totalling 18 hits, including six doubles and two triples.

Leading the hitting barrage were Dallas Hutto, Cierra Bell and Avery Owens. Hutto went three-for-four with four RBIs and three runs scored. Bell had three hits, including a double and RBI. Owens went two-for-three with a triple and two RBIs.

One of Barnwell's most impressive players was Rebekah DeBruhl. On the mound, DeBruhl kept Saluda's batters off balance.

DeBruhl, who tossed a four-hitter, retired six straight batters during a stretch in the contest. She also finished with three strikeouts.

She was equally effective with her bat, going three-for-three, including triple and three RBIs.

Barnwell finished the tournament with a 4-1 record.

The team's only loss came in a 4-2 defeat to Saluda in the third round.

With the victory, Barnwell Belles All-Stars advance to the state finals July 17 in Union.

For Barnwell coach Chris Donehue, this will be the third trip to the state finals. Donehue was head coach for the Angel All-Stars in 2006 and assistant coach for the Ponytails in 2008.

Donehue has yet to claim a state title. However, he believes this year squad has a good chance to bring home the crown.

"If we hit the ball the way we did today, I strongly believe we can win this thing," Donehue said.

"Defensively, we are playing really well and our pitching has been solid. The only concern I have is our bats. In the championship game we hit the ball really well. However, we need for this trend to continue. We need to hit the ball with a little more consistency."

In the championship game, Barnwell controlled the tempo at the start with its hitting. In the first inning, Cierra Bell led with a single, the scored off a hit by Hutto for a 1-0 lead.

One inning later, Barnwell plated another run when DeBruhl tripled and scored off an error.

Leading 2-0, the game got away from Saluda in the third inning as Barnwell erupted for nine runs off eight hits for an 11-0 lead.

For Barnwell, Bell, Catherine Padgett and Nyesha Arnold opened the inning with doubles.

Others with shining performances included Owens, who had a two-run RBI triple and she scored a run. Hutto, DeBruhl Ciera Still and Leigh Ann Davis all singled and scored.

"That was the best we've hit the ball all tournament," Donehue said. "We got into a good rhythm and everything fell into place."

In the fourth inning, the onslaught continued as Barnwell plated another run. Arnold led with a single and later scored off a hit by Owens for a 12-0 advantage.

Down 12-0, Saluda got onto the scoreboard in the fifth inning, scoring two runs off a hit and an error to complete the scoring.

Barnwell's biggest victory of the tournament came in a 4-1 win over Saluda in game one of the championship round.

Facing elimination after losing to Saluda earlier, Barnwell needed a big outing to keep its title hopes alive.

For Barnwell Arnold delivered at the plate in the fifth inning with a bang.

After fouling off several pitching in the inning, Arnold took a 2-2 pitch over the right field fence for a three-run homer to put Barnwell ahead at 4-1.

The three-run lead was all the insurance Owens needed. Owens went the distance, throwing a five-hitter with four strikeouts in seven innings of work.

"Our players felt disappointment after losing to Saluda in the first meeting," Donehue said. "We wanted to come out and show we were the better team this time around. Nyesha Arnold broke the game open for us. We needed a spark to get us going and she delivered."