The Chatham County Cizzlers and TC Spirits combined for 31 hits and 26 runs in the Greensboro Palomino League regular-season affair.

Unfortunately for the locals, it was the Spirits that came out with a 14-12 win in a contest lasting over three hours.

The Cizzlers fall to 5-7 in league play with the loss while the Spirits improve to 6-8 overall.

Riding a four-game losing streak coming into Friday night, the Cizzlers had the perfect opportunity to get back in the win column when they took the field against the winless Southwest Stars.

All CC needed was a break from Mother Nature.

Eventually the rains gave way long enough for the Cizzlers to pound the Stars, 21-9, and even their record at 5-5.

"We had a good night tonight, getting our bats back going," said coach Randy Kivett. "We had been struggling a little bit, so maybe this will help their confidence."

Coach Kivett was filling in for head coach Ronnie Maness, who was unable to make the trip to Stoner-White Field.

The beating started early as the first nine batters reached base for CC in the opening frame.

It’s not much of a problem to flip on the television and find a Major League Baseball game.

For many area diamond fans, including myself, watching local youth compete in the summer All-Star tournaments is just as exciting if not more so than watching the big leaguers.

Seeing the area kids in action will at its highest peak in the upcoming weeks as the All-Star tournaments kick into full gear.

Three such tournaments began on Tuesday night, highlighted by the 12-year old Cal Ripken All-Star tournament down in Southern Pines. East Chatham was slated to kick off the tourney with a 6:00 p.m. contest with Broadway before West Chatham tangles with host Sandhills at 8:00 p.m.

Magnolia received a first-round bye and awaits the winner of the first-game in an 8:00 contest tonight (Wednesday) after Laurinburg and Maxton tangle in the 6:00 p.m. game. The double-elimination tournament will continue through Sunday if necessary.