The Auburn 10- and 11-year-old Little League All-Stars remained patient at the plate and eventually wore down Horseheads starter Matt Hicks in an 8-5 win in the quarterfinals of the Regional Championship in Homer on Saturday.

Hicks, a hard-throwing lefty, held the Auburn offense in check early but a three-run fourth inning and a four-run fifth propelled the local all-stars in the regional semifinals.

Auburn plays the winner of Dunkirk and Lockport today at 1 p.m. in Homer.

Horseheads jumped on Auburn starter Cody Ladisair early, scoring two runs in the top of the first. Dan DeFranco manufactured a run for Auburn in the bottom of the inning, working a walk and eventually scoring on a passed ball.

In the fourth, Auburn finally got to Hicks. Hunter Charles delivered a two-run single, scoring Mike Gentile and Ladisair. Charles later scored on a fielder's choice.

After Horseheads took the lead back, 5-4, after a three-run top of the fifth, Auburn again answered with some big hits.

Mike Charles led off with a single which knocked Hicks from the game. Ryan Ringwood reached on a liner to left field and Ladisair brought them both home with a two-run single.

After a Hunter Charles and a John Rizzo walk, Tom Alexander delivered an RBI single, giving Auburn an 8-5 lead.

Mike Charles pitched a scoreless sixth inning to cement the win for Auburn.

Ladisair earned the win, scattering eight hits in five innings.

Defensively, Mike Charles made some dazzling plays at shortstop and center fielder Gentile threw out two baserunners - one at home and one at third - after successfully hitting the cut-off man.