The Prince Edward-Farmville Youth Association (PEFYA) Minors All-Star team recovered from its first loss of the summer Monday to defeat the Rustburg All-Stars 16-2 on Tuesday in the State Dixie Youth Baseball AAA Minor League All-Star Tournament in Appomattox.

On Monday, the PEFYA Minors fell 12-11 to the Montgomery All-Star team.

“I think it woke them up and let them know that they’re not unbeatable,” PEFYA Minors Manager Jerry Morgan said of his players. “… I think the loss did us some good. Now they know what that loss feels like, and they’re like, ‘We can’t do this again.’ It makes them try even harder.”

Montgomery, which was undefeated in the tournament at the time, jumped out to a 4-1 lead against Prince Edward-Farmville, but the boys, known for engineering thrilling comebacks, put together a seven-run third inning to grab a 9-6 advantage.

The lead disappeared in the latter half of the ballgame, however, and Montgomery was able to hold on for the win.

The Appomattox All-Stars ended Montgomery’s undefeated run Tuesday, setting up a three-team finale set for Wednesday. Appomattox drew the bye, pitting PEFYA in a rematch with Montgomery. The winner played Appomattox for the championship.

Morgan was proud of how his team rebounded from its first loss and gave high praise to Leighton Folz for his pitching against Rustburg.

“He came out and had a phenomenal performance,” Morgan said. “We didn’t have to put anybody in to replace him. We just let him keep pitching. … He only had a total of 50 pitches, and that was through four innings. Usually through four innings, we’re through two pitchers.”

Folz threw four strikeouts.

Rustburg was only able to generate two runs even though it managed 10 hits.

“We actually played phenomenal defense,” Morgan said.

The offense was not bad either, producing 28 hits.

“We’ve got a hitting squad,” Morgan said with a chuckle.

Offensive standouts for PEFYA included Harold Landis, who hit a two-run single in the first inning, Sawyer Furlong, who hit a three-run double in the second inning, and Clevante Watkins, who hit a three-run double in the fourth inning.