VICKSBURG &045; Just when any comeback seemed completely hopeless, Vicksburg started to rally.

Down 16-7 to Natchez entering the bottom of the seventh inning, the Missy Gators scored eight runs to cut it to a one-run game.

JaWanda Bingham then stepped to the plate with runners on second and third and one out. The win was within reach, but a surprising double play cost Vicksburg the game and they fell to the Lady Bulldogs 16-15 Tuesday.

&uot;It was an unbelievable game,&uot; VHS coach Kori Crutchfield said. &uot;It was the best game we’ve played all season. I believe we should have won that game. Had we stepped up earlier, we definitely would have won, but I’m proud of the fact that they came back and they never gave up.&uot;

The win puts Natchez in second place behind Warren Central at 1-1 in Division 6-5A.

&uot;I’m thankful that we got out of here with a win, but we’re still not playing up to our potential,&uot; Natchez coach Charlie Williams said.

Vicksburg falls to third place at 0-3 in division play, but could still reach the playoffs. A Natchez loss to Warren Central and a Vicksburg victory over Natchez by more than two runs would send the Missy Gators into the postseason.

Bingham hit a soft line drive to Natchez shortstop Chelsea Hill, which she caught for the second out. But as soon as Bingham hit the ball, Erica

Woodson took off from third base. Hill fired to third for the out, but the throw was high and pulled Taneshia Coach off the bag.

Woodson slid back and Coach placed down the tag. The umpires initially ruled

Woodson safe, but conferred at second base and reversed the call because Coach touched third base before Woodson got back, resulting in a force place and the game’s final out.

&uot;These people have played before and they should know if it’s a fly ball to stay on the base,&uot; Crutchfield said. &uot;But I blame it on myself. I was more caught up in getting that hitter to hit than I was on informing my runner.&uot;

After holding Natchez scoreless in the seventh, Vicksburg totaled eight runs on five hits, three walks and two NHS errors.

&uot;We hit the ball well today, but we’re still making too many mental mistakes,&uot; Williams said. &uot;Earlier in the year we weren’t hitting the ball, but we were playing excellent defense. We need to get to an even keel.&uot;