The Natchez Dixie Boys 14-year old All-Star team earned a spot in the finals of the district tournament here Tuesday with a 22-2 thrashing of Copiah County.

Natchez will play the winner of today’s Brookhaven-Copiah game Thursday at 6 p.m. in the championship game. A second game will follow, if necessary.

In other action, Brookhaven eliminated Claiborne County 7-7.

&uot;We really did a good job tonight,&uot;&160;Natchez head coach Willie Riley said. &uot;We got a chance to play some guys who don’t normally get to play a whole bunch, and they really came through for us, and they showed me a lot.

&uot;I&160;don’t consider this team as having a starting nine&uot; Riley said. &uot;I’ve got 13 players, and that’s that.&uot;

Natchez led 7-0 after two innings.

In the fourth inning, Natchez’s John Holleman drove a 1-1 fastball up the middle for a run-scoring single. Matt Parson followed with a bases loaded walk.

Sam Thomas, who reached on an error, came around to score on a passed ball, and Douglas Davis scored the inning’s final run on an error.

&uot;I think this game gave us nothing but positive results,&uot;&160;Riley said. &uot;I think right about the fourth inning, the guys realized that the game was pretty much over, and they just relaxed and started having fun with it.&uot;

Te Riley said the game will not give Natchez any false confidence.

&uot;Absolutely not,&uot; Te Riley said. &uot;I could see where someone would think that, but my other two coaches (Gary Jones and Jimmy Riley) know how to get the guys ready to play, and I’m confident that they will do it.&uot;

Thomas made the score 15-1 in the top of the fifth inning with an RBI-ground rule double. He would later score on a passed ball.

Parson added an RBI single, and Te Riley brought home another two runs with a two-run double.

Holleman continued the offensive assault on Copiah, as he lofted a two-run homer over the centerfield fence.

&uot;We’re not going to change anything as we head into the championship game,&uot;&160;Riley said. &uot;We’re going to practice [today] just like usual, and just treat everything the same way we would any other game.&uot;

Glenn Williams led the attack with three hits, including two doubles. Holleman had two hits for Natchez, including a home run.

In the first game of the night, Brookhaven scored 12 runs in the third inning to put away the Claiborne County All-Stars.

Kenny Smith led Brookhaven with three hits in three at-bats.

Brookhaven will face Copiah tonight at 7 p.m. with the winner advancing to the title game tomorrow night.