NATCHEZ &045;&045; Day three of the Mississippi Dixie Boys 14-year-olds District 4 Tournament was just what the doctor ordered &045;&045; good defense and pitching from both teams.

Natchez’s Luke Brumfield and Brookhaven’s Jacob Dunn both pitched complete games for their respective teams, but a three-run rally in the top of the fifth enabled Natchez to take a hard-fought 4-2 win Saturday night at the Covington Road Baseball Park to stay undefeated.

Now Brookhaven must defeat Natchez Monday at 7 p.m. to force a second game Tuesday at 7 p.m. for the district title. A win by Natchez Monday and they’re the district champions.

&uot;That was a nail-biter,&uot; Natchez head coach William Barnes said.

Luke Brumfield picked up the win, allowing two runs on seven hits while striking out six and getting a couple of outstanding defensive plays late in the game to get out of trouble.

&uot;Scary,&uot; Brumfield said. &uot;They were getting hits and runners in scoring position. I couldn’t have done it without the defense behind me and some crucial hits.&uot;

Despite taking the loss, Dunn, who also pitched a complete game Thursday night in a 7-2 over Summit, held Natchez just four hits and struck out 10. However, he walked five, three of which came back to haunt him, and had one hit batsman.

&uot;Jacob didn’t have his best stuff, but he pitched with a lot of heart,&uot; Brookhaven head coach Perry Brown said. &uot;We figured he would go three or four innings, but he went the distance.&uot;

While Dunn’s fastball kept Natchz off-balanced throughout the game, Brown noted his curveball and knuckle changeup let him down, especially late in the game.

Yet Dunn had a no-hitter going into the fifth, retiring 12 of the first 15 batters he faced, until he started having control problems in that inning.

&uot;Jacob’s pitched 14 innings and he stayed strong the whole way,&uot; Barnes said. &uot;We had a little trouble with his fastball.&uot;

Brumfield had allowed just two hits through the first three innings, but Brookhaven got to him in the bottom of the fourth as Dunn doubled to left centerfield on an 1-2 pitch and scored on a two-out single by John Floyd, a former Natchez All-Star himself and in his first year with the Brookhaven All-Stars.

Floyd went 2-for-3 with one run batted in and almost came back to haunt Natchez.

&uot;I played (with Natchez) up until I was 12,&uot; Floyd said. &uot;I played in Vidalia last year. They’re all good buddies of mine. Usually you don’t want to compete against your friends. I like to compete against my friends.&uot;

&uot;Floyd’s a good kid,&uot; Brown said. &uot;He’s a pleasure to coach. He’s our best defensive first baseman in our league.&uot;

Natchez then took the lead for good with its three runs in the top of the fifth.

Blaine Abernathy walked with one out, stole second and scored on a single by Braxton Fondren. Parker Brumfield walked and later stole home plate to score.

Brookhaven’s coaches and players thought that Brumfield did not touch home plate, but the home plate umpire ruled that he touched the left corner of the plate before the tag.

Fondren later scored on a Matt Barnes single for a 3-1 lead. One inning earlier, Barnes was denied a base hit when Brookhaven shortstop Seth Cliburn went up in air, turned around and threw to first to get Barnes out.

&uot;We got behind early and fought back,&uot; Barnes said.

&uot;Our coaches just told to be patient,&uot; Fondren said. &uot;When they scored a run we realized we had to tighten up.&uot;

&uot;Natchez does a good job of manufacturing runs,&uot; Brown said. &uot;Their defense played well.&uot;

Brookhaven cut the lead to one and almost tied the game in the bottom of the fifth.

With two outs, Cliburn singled, went to third on a Marcus Smith single and scored on a wild pitch.

Smith went to second on the throw to home, went to third on the wild pitch and tried to score when Jesse Morrison had trouble finding the ball. But Morrison threw to Brumfield, who tagged Smith out at home plate for the final out of the inning.

&uot;Our pitching and defense looked good,&uot; Barnes said. &uot;That’s been our strong point. We just got to hit the ball.&uot;

Then in the bottom of the sixth, Dunn singled but was forced out at second on a Sawyer Wallace fielder’s choice.

Then with two outs and Floyd at the plate, Wallace, who stole second and third, was tagged out in a rundown between third and home.

Natchez added an insurance run in the top of the seventh when Fondren doubled to left centerfield, went to third on a wild pitch and scored on a wild pitch.

&uot;My first (hit) was in a clutch situation. I had to hit it. I was focused up there,&uot; Fondren said. &uot;My second one was just about the hardest I’ve ever hit. I was hoping to get all of it.&uot;