SUMMIT&160;– After a two-hour stay at the local motel, the Natchez Dixie Boys 14-year-old All-Stars came back and took care of some unfinished business, defeating East Central 4-1 Saturday in the first round of the state tournament.

Natchez will play Purvis at 6 p.m. today in Summit.

Natchez pitchers Luke Ogden, Glenn Williams and Doug Davis combined to limit East Central to three hits, striking out 15 batters.

&uot;Our pitching really came through,&uot; said Natchez coach Willie Riley. &uot;They shut East Central down. And our defense played a good ball game. I feel like we beat a really good team.&uot;

Natchez scored one run in the top of the first as Williams led off with a walk and Ogden singled.

In the second inning, Michael Blain was hit by a pitch and scored on a single by Davis.

The rains then came and with Natchez leading 2-0, the contest was stopped.

&uot;We went back to our hotel and waited for them to call when the field was ready to play on again,&uot; Riley said. &uot;I think that may have settled us down some because we were keyed-up at the beginning.&160;We were not nervous when we got back.&uot;

In the fourth inning, Sam Thomas singled, and John Holleman hit a two-run home run.

Ogden pitched the first three innings, while Williams went three in relief and Davis finished up in the seventh.

Twelve teams are in the tournament.

Riley said it was important for Natchez to win its first game.

&uot;This built a lot of confidence for the boys,&uot; he said. &uot;The boys feel like they can do it, and the coaches know they can do it.&uot;

The Natchez 14-year-old all-stars begin state tournament play today in Laurel.