NATCHEZ — The Natchez All-Stars dixie youth coach pitch team couldn’t handle the hot-swinging McComb All-Stars in game one of the district tournament at Duncan Park Friday night as they fell 27-3.

It was evident early that McComb came to play as they scored nine runs in the top of the first inning.

Natchez head coach David Carter said they battled against a strong team with a lot of chemistry.

“(McComb) won state in tee ball last year, and they’re a phenomenal team,” Carter said. “When you have 7 year olds hitting to the fence, it’s hard to battle against that.”

Natchez didn’t go away easy, though, as Coleman Carter got things going with a big hit with two runners on base and was able to advance to home plate because of a string of McComb errors, also allowing Blake Perkins and Cooper Wells to score.

Then McComb’s Colin Smith made a leaping catch outside of third base to end the first inning.

Down 9-3, it looked like Natchez gained life that could keep them in the ball game, but McComb came out in the top of the second inning and put Natchez away.

McComb scored 14 runs in the second inning to go up 20 runs, 23-3.

The mercy rule only allows a team to go up 16 runs, but they must play through the third inning.

Natchez came back up to the plate in the bottom of the second looking to decrease the deficit, but went three up and three down quickly.

McComb finished Natchez off with five more runs in the top of the third inning and didn’t allow them to score again to seal the deal.

Carter said he was proud his team for playing hard no matter the score.

“We played one of the best teams you’re going to find in Mississippi and we scored some runs and had some highlights,” he said. “We’re going to talk about the good things and come back out here ready to play.”

Natchez will play the winner of the Lincoln Americans/ Lincoln Nationals game at 6 p.m. tomorrow at the Carroll Jones field in Duncan Park.

The Lincoln Americans/ Lincoln Nationals game will be played at noon.