WILLIAMSTON — In a district that covers Currituck to Carteret County, the 12U Little Tarheel League area championship came down to two teams from Beaufort County — Washington and Bath, one of the smallest towns represented in the region.

But despite the town’s size and the fact that it’s never competed for a district title, Bath cruised to its first tournament championship in dominant fashion, the victory reserving the team’s place in the 12U Little Tarheel State Tournament, which kicks off on Thursday in Shelby.

“I think it would be huge to have a team from this area, from such a small municipality, to be able to go and really prove that it doesn’t matter how big or small you are, you can do anything if you set your mind to it,” said head coach Michael Craig. “Being able to pull from such a small area, to put a talented team together and accomplish such a monumental task would be just awesome for this group of kids and the community.”

Unlike the 12U Little Tarheel State Tournament to be played at Washington’s Susiegray McConnell Complex from July 30-Aug. 2, Bath competes in what they call the “open-base” 12U level, where leading is allowed and the dimensions are much larger: 50 feet from the pitching rubber to home plate and 70-foot base paths. When the last pitch was thrown on Sunday, Beaufort County’s best group of 12-year-old baseball players seemed to be competing in a league of their own.

Through four tournament games, two of which were won via the mercy rule, Bath outscored opponents 41-6, recording a total of 34 hits and committing just six errors in the field.

“It’s a great accomplishment first off, but I think it gets into the amount of effort and focus that these kids have,” Craig said. “This group of kids have been playing ball together since they were nine years old. There’s a real tight nucleus there. These kids feed off of each other.”

The run began last Tuesday with the most competitive game of the bracket for Bath, a 7-3 win over Dare County.

The visitors kept Bath’s strong lineup at bay early, escaping multiple jams and allowing just one run to cross through the first three innings. At the plate, however, Dare County was limited to just two hits in six innings and was stymied by starter Ryan Woolard and reliever Ryan Cornelius.

After Dare County took a 3-1 lead in the fourth on four walks, a hit batter and a single, Bath powered back with three of its own — singles by Adams, Woolard, Tyler Modlin and Jack Biggs. Up 4-3, the host would coast comfortably through the final innings, holding Dare County scoreless and taking on three runs of insurance in the fifth.

The win locked up a meeting with neighboring Washington in Round 2, a game Bath controlled right out of the gate. In a shortened four-inning contest, led by the bat and right arm of Adams, Bath secured a 12-2 victory.

Adams pitched all four innings, allowing two runs (one earned), walking three and striking out two. At the plate, he went 2-for-2 with a first-inning home run and a single.

Bath put away Washington with eight runs through the first three innings, supported by a collection of errors and, on top of Adams, hits from Braxton Baynor, Douglas Dixon, Woolard (HR) and Modlin. Bath began the fourth inning with back-to-back doubles from Cameron Craig and Dixon, his second of the game, to close the contest and advance the team to Round 3.

If Adams carried the load in the second game on Thursday, it was pitcher Carter Boyd who stole the show against South Edgecombe in the third game.

Boyd finished 2-for-2 at the plate with a first-inning homer and a single in the third inning. On the bump, he had little difficulty with the South Edgecombe bats, tossing a complete game, allowing just one run (unearned) on two hits and four walks. He recorded a tournament-high eight strikeouts.

Up 2-0, Bath put the game out of reach in the third inning on hits by Caleb Alligood and Dixon, coupled with a walk and an error. Bath walked away with an easy 8-1 semi-final win.

The championship game on Sunday featured a rematch of Game 2 and Bath would not disappoint, securing its largest win over the tournament — a 14-0 rout of Washington in three innings.

Dixon picked up the win, tossing three innings of shutout ball. He struck out four, walked none and surrendered just two hits. In a first inning that featured 16 at bats and 12 runs, it was Adams who came through with the big hit, a grand slam over the wall in left-center. Boyd (two hits), Dixon and Woolard also recorded base knocks in the frame.

“I have to attribute the success to the mentality of the kids and what we’ve instilled in them — hey, we’re going to go out, be focused, determined and whatever it takes to get the job done, that’s what they’re going to do. The kids have really bought into that philosophy,” Craig said.

The smallest team in District 7 will now be tasked with taking on some of the western state championship regulars. Making the trip will also be the Washington 12U All-Stars, who received an at-large bid this week.