By Jeff Whitten

Connor Brown’s 3-run home run in the top of the eighth paced Murphey Candler to a 3-0 win over host Coastal Little League in extra innings the first day of pool play at the 2013 Little League 11/12 state championship tournament in Richmond Hill.
Coastal had an opportunity to win the game in the bottom of the seventh inning with two runners on base but failed to score.
Nate Ford pitched a gem for Murphey Candler; while Coastal got terrific pitching from Luke Whetstone and Teddy Rovolis.

Also on Day 1:

Columbus Northern 1, Newton County 0
Columbus Northern scored the game’s only run in the first inning and made it stand.
Colby Brabston, Anna Runyon and Josh Evans combined to shut down Newton County.

Warner Robins 17, West Point 0
Warner Robins scored seven first-inning runs and never looked back. Blake King and Chandler Dawson homered for WRALL, which used three pitchers to shut down Newton County.

Martinez-Evans 17, Belvedere 1
Davis cook and Will Childers homered for Martinez Evans while Ryan Galanie picked up the win. Trevor White scored the only run for Belvedere.

Play continues tomorrow when Toccoa plays Martinez Evans and Columbus Northern takes on Belvedere at 2 p.m. Those games are followed by Cartersville vs. Warner Robins and West Point vs. Murphey Candler at 5 p.m. 

Games are at the Richmond Hill Recreation ballfields at the Bottom.