Natchez 11s defeat McComb

By Jeff Edwards (Contact) | The Natchez Democrat

Published Friday, July 4, 2008

MCCOMB — The Natchez 11-year-old Dixie Youth All-Stars are one win away from the state tournament.

Natchez defeated McComb 14-6 in Game 1 of the three-game district series, which will conclude Saturday at Duncan Park in Natchez.

Natchez got production all up and down the lineup Thursday night, highlighted by a three-RBI night from Jadarius Anderson, which included a towering two-run home run.

“He got a hold of one,” Natchez coach Billy Ray Farmer said. “It was a towering shot deep into the trees.”

Natchez also had RBI hits from Christian Jenkins, Jalon Fleming, Thomas Garrity, Cameron Farmer and Trey Fleming.

“Everybody put it in play and hit it hard,” Farmer said. “We hit all the way through the order. That proved to be the difference tonight.”

While Natchez got production from most of their batters, McComb only relied on two people to supply all of their runs.

Stephen Williams hit two two-run home runs and Houston Smith hit another two-run shot for McComb in the losing effort.

With the win, Natchez remains undefeated in All-Star play, including a undefeated mark in a practice tournament played against 12-year-old teams.

The continued winning has the Natchez team feeling invincible, Farmer said.

“Everybody’s grinning and having fun,” Farmer said. “It’s like an electric feeling. Everybody’s just pumped. They’re having fun and it never even runs through their minds that they can lose.”

McComb and Natchez will play Game 2 at 6 p.m. Saturday at Duncan Park. Should McComb win that game, Game 3 of the series will immediately follow.

“We’re looking forward to playing (McComb) again on Saturday,” Farmer said. “These kids have a lot of confidence.”