The Lunenburg County Youth Baseball League (LCYBL) Machine Pitch All-Star team started its run this year with a 13-8 loss to the South Hill All-Stars on Friday in the double-elimination State Dixie Youth Baseball AA Machine Pitch All-Star Tournament in Victoria.

“I think their nerves got them a little bit today,” LCYBL Manager Lucy Hall said of her players. “They came out and hit the ball too late in the game, didn’t hit it at first and made a few errors, and that catches up with you in this type of play.”

Since the LCYBL All-Stars are hosting the state tourney this year, they did not have to play in a district tournament to advance. Consequently, this is their first time playing. Meanwhile, their opponents had time to develop in-game chemistry during their respective district tournaments.

But Hall is confident her players have shaken off the nerves.

“We’ll be ready tomorrow,” she said Friday.

The LCYBL Machine Pitch All-Stars play Saturday at 2 p.m.