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Natchez High School’s Jakel Barnes makes a throw Friday during an MHSAA playoff game against Wayne County. (Nicole Hester | The Natchez Democrat)

Natchez High School’s L.J. Minor waits in the on-deck circle Friday during his team’s playoff game against Wayne County. (Nicole Hester | The Natchez Democrat)

Natchez’s Charlie Latham tags out a Wayne County baserunner during Friday’s action. (Nicole Hester | The Natchez Democrat)

(Nicole Hester | The Natchez Democrat)

(Nicole Hester | The Natchez Democrat)

Natchez High School let the first game of its opening round MHSAA Class 5A playoff series against Wayne County slip through its hands Friday night, 11-0 in five innings.

The Bulldogs (10-17) got off to a rough start by committing three errors and giving up four early hits to face a 5-0 deficit after one inning. They never could recover, totaling seven errors on the night.

“The errors we made, we make those plays every day,” NHS coach Dan Smith said. “It was a whole different ball game. They were just nervous because 90 percent of these kids were playing in their first playoff game.”

Bulldog starting pitcher Jatavis Melton gave up four more hits and an additional run in the second inning, but came back for a hitless third after a leaping catch and swift throw to first from second baseman Jakel Barnes to end the frame.

Melton ultimately took the loss for Natchez in four innings, recording three strikeouts in the loss.

After falling behind quickly, Smith said he aimed to take a much more forceful approach at the plate. The only three players with a registered hit on the night, however, were Travon Henry, L.J. Minor and Paul Hargrave. Each ended with a single.

“We got behind so I couldn’t just lay back,” he said. “I had to put a little speed on it and try to be a little bit aggressive. It just didn’t work out, but that’s how baseball goes. We have to hit the ball into play.”

Smith said for his players to build back their confidence going on the road today for Game 2 of the series, they need to put Friday’s loss behind them.

“The good thing about it is that it is a series,” Smith said. “We will just turn the page, and they just need to play. You can’t do much more pep talk. They know what they have to do.”

For today’s matchup, Smith said he is not quite sure who will get the start on the mound, but he expects it to be senior Jordan Hamilton.

“The biggest challenge is playing defense and not being nervous,” Smith said. “From what I saw, we were pretty evenly matched.”

With a win today, the Bulldogs will be back at home for Game 3 of the series at 6 p.m. Monday.

“I’m still proud of these kids, and I’m looking forward to going (to Wayne County),” Smith said.

MHSAA Class 5A Playoffs

Opening Round

Game 1

WAYNE COUNTY 11, NATCHEZ 0

5 innings

WCHS 510 32 — 11 11

NHS 000 00 — 0 3

WP — Tanner Wells (4 IP, 3 K, 2 BB, 2 H, 0 R)

LP — Jatavis Melton (4 IP, 3 K, 7 BB, 11 H, 9 R)

HITTERS — NHS: Travon Henry (single), LJ Minor (single), Paul Hargrave (single).

RECORD — NHS: 10-17.

NEXT — NHS: Game 2, 4 p.m. today at Wayne County.

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