MOULTRIE — The Colquitt County 12-and-under all-stars took the first step toward defending their Georgia Recreation and Parks Association state championship on Wednesday, defeating Lyons 11-3 in their state tournament opener in Lyons.

Colquitt County’s 14-and-under all-stars will have to work back through the losers bracket after dropping their first state tournament game 8-5 to Dublin on Wednesday in Thomson.

The 12-and-unders were able to make short work of Lyons, winning via the run rule in five innings.

Austin Mercer led the way offensively for Colquitt County, slamming a two-run homer and adding a single. Preston Berry and Daniel Mobley also had two hits apiece.

Clayton Brown, Jonah Bozeman, Gabe Mobley, Tony Simpson and Andy Bush each had one hit.

Daniel Mobley, Gabe Mobley, Brown and Berry each had doubles.

Berry, Brown and Mercer each drove in two runs.

Brown started the game at pitcher and gave up two runs and three hits over four innings. He struck out three.

Drew Penuel pitched the final inning, giving up a run and striking out one.

The 12-and-unders will meet Douglas at 11:30 this morning. Douglas, the District I champion, sent Swainsboro to the losers bracket in another first-round game on Wednesday.

The Colquitt County-Douglas winner will play in the final winners bracket game at 10 a.m. Friday. The loser will play at 5 p.m. today.

The 14-and-under all-stars managed just six hits in their loss to Dublin.

Matt Creech had two hits. Vann Pitts, Daren Kent, Austin Dykes and Corey Moore had the others.

Dillon Presley and Austin Dykes each pitched three innings.

“Their pitcher gave up hits, just not timely hits,” Colquitt County 14-and-under coach Robby Pitts said. “He was effective.

“Our kids played good, but not up to our potential. We just got beat.”

Tyler Yost will be on the mound when Colquitt County meets Calhoun in a losers bracket game at 10 this morning.

With a victory, Colquitt County would advance to a 4 p.m. losers bracket game.

Colquitt County now will have to win six straight games to win the state championship.