MARSHALL, Texas – Going into the bottom of the sixth and final inning of the first game of the Dixie Youth 11-12 World Series down 2-6, the Natchez Wallace All-Stars needed more than a good inning. They needed a miracle.

Two hit batters, two runs walked in, a two RBI double and an error worked, too.

As a ground ball skipped past the glove of the Columbia County shortstop and Wesley Davis touched home base, the Wallace team won one of its most exciting contests of the year, defeating the Appling, Ga., team 7-6 Monday night.

&uot;They were as good as we’ve faced,&uot; coach David New Jr. said after the game, his words nearly lost in the euphoric cheers of his players. &uot;It was tough game, but it was a good game.&uot;

Timmy Foster was the hero of the day, pitching the entire game and notching 11 strike-outs, in addition to going 2-3 at the plate and batting in the winning run.

&uot;Timmy had a great game,&uot; New said. &uot;I think he was a little nervous at first, but this game will help that. I think they’ll all be a lot better from now on.&uot;

Cole Bradford also had a big day at the plate, going 3-3 after being hit with a pitch in his first at bat. Bradford batted in the tying run in a wild sixth inning.

Two consecutive hit batters loaded the bases, and two consecutive walks brought Wallace within two. Columbia brought out a new pitcher, but he did little to stop Bradford and Foster.

Columbia drew first blood with a three-run homer in the third inning. Wallace answered with Foster’s two-run shot an inning later.

Columbia jumped out to be what looked like an insurmountable lead in the top of the sixth, extending its lead to 6-2 before having significant pitching trouble.

&uot;We’ve been told that they were the best in the tournament,&uot; New said of the Georgia team. &uot;But we showed a lot of discipline on the plate, and I think that made a difference.&uot;

Wallace will play again tonight at 8 p.m., against the winner of the Tennessee-South Carolina All-Star match-up. The game will again be broadcast on WNAT, 1450 AM.

The 9-10 Mississippi All-Stars, from Hattiesburg, also won Monday, defeating Georgia 5-0.