LAUREL – Natchez Dixie Boys 13-year-old All-Star coach Joe Joe Eidt said his team’s goal was to make it to the final day of state tournament play.

Now it’s time for a new goal.

&uot;We wanted to reach the finals, now we want to win two games,&uot; Eidt said.

Natchez defeated Kosciusko 14-4 Wednesday to reach the finals.

Unbeaten Laurel faced once-beaten Clarksdale in the late game Thursday.

If Laurel won, Natchez would have to beat the host team twice. Laurel defeated Natchez 16-2 Tuesday.

&uot;I’m proud of the way the team bounced back,&uot; Eidt said. &uot;They proved they are the kind of team I thought they were.&uot;

If Clarksdale defeated Laurel Wednesday, Natchez would face Laurel at 5 p.m. today A&160;win there would put Natchez against Laurel for the championship.

Chris Rasco picked up the win for Natchez Wednesday, going three innings.

&uot;Chris did a good job,&uot; Eidt said. &uot;He’s hittable when he gets the ball up, but when he gets it down and works the corners, he’s tough to hit. He threw the ball like he was supposed to.&uot;

Kosciusko scored one run in its first at bat, but Natchez answered with five runs in the bottom of the first.

Dustin Case singled and scored on a Kevin Bishop base hit. Jeremy Davis walked and Rasco reached on an error. David Trisler delivered an RBI single and Phillip Eidt closed out the scoring with a single.

Natchez added two runs in the second as Davis doubled, Drew Burns singled and Trisler singled.

Natchez increased its lead to 11-3 in the third as Jacob Dollar doubled, Case walked,&160;Bishop singled and two runs came in on passed balls.

Case came in for relief in the fourth inning.

Natchez added two runs in the fourth as Dollar doubled to key the rally.

&uot;We have to come out and hit the ball early like we did tonight,&uot;&160;Eidt said.

&uot;We’ve got all of our pitchers available. We’re sitting in good shape there.&uot;