A four-run first inning propelled the Greenville Dixie Youth AAA All-Stars to a 15-4 win against the Enterprise Americans Monday night in the first round of the District 9 tournament in Kinston.

Greenville head coach Jimmy Clark said the quick start was a key to Greenville’s win.

“Anytime you are the visiting team you want to stick as many runs up there as you can in the first inning, and then go out and play good defense,” Clark said. “That’s what we were able to do.”

Greenville surrendered just one run in the bottom of the first inning, and then held Enterprise scoreless until the fourth inning when Enterprise pushed a single run across the plate. They added two more runs in the bottom of the sixth inning, but by then Greenville had all but put the game away with 15 runs of its own.

“We hit the ball hard,” Clark said. “When you’re dealing with 9 and 10 year olds you never know how they will play, but our kids showed up ready to play and really hit the ball well, and we played good defense and got good pitching.”

Davis Gaston led Greenville’s offensive charge with three hits, three runs scored and three RBIs. Andrew Williams had three hits, scored two runs and drove in three runs.

Evan Clark, Austin Williams, Jamar Jackson, Trevor Haney and Jabez Sims each drove in a run, while Cameron Meyers scored three runs.

Clark earned the win on the mound after tossing the first three innings and allowing just one run. Andrew Williams came on to close out the game and tossed the final three innings.

Greenville will face Eufaula on Tuesday at 8 p.m. in Kinston.