The Natchez Dixie Youth 11- and 12-year old Wallace All-Stars advanced to the championship round of the district tournament in Summit with a 12-3 win over the host team last night.

Natchez jumped on Summit early, scoring three runs in the first and second innings, four in the third and two in the fourth to cruise to the win.

&uot;Our pitching did really well,&uot; said coach Brad Fondren. &uot;We hit the ball a lot better.&uot;

Natchez will play McComb at 6 p.m. tonight. If Natchez wins, another game will be held at 6 p.m. on Friday. McComb and Natchez played a thrilling 9-7, nine-inning contest two days ago.

Parker Brumfield, Stevan Ridley and Austin Weeks each pitched two innings, allowing only the three runs on three hits. Natchez’s pitching depth has helped the team make its run to the championship games.

&uot;We’ve been able to go two-two-two,&uot; said Fondren. Dustin Carroll is the fourth pitcher that joins Brumfield, Ridley and Weeks in the rotation. &uot;Our pitching is in real good shape for the championship,&uot; Fondren said.

Ridley hit his third home run in his third consecutive game to lead Natchez. Weeks and Jeremy Ellis each collected two hits and a double.

Natchez has had trouble though in playing above-average defense, though.

&uot;We’re still making errors that we need to eliminate. Against a team like McComb, you can’t make many errors and expect to win ballgames,&uot; Fondren said.

But he and the team are excited about their chances against McComb.

&uot;If we come out an play good defense and hit the ball we can play with anybody.&uot;