NATCHEZ &8212; Sometimes it is not how you finish, but how you start.

Friday night&8217;s game was the perfect example, as the Natchez All-Stars held onto a three-run first-inning lead to defeat the Summit All-Stars 5-0.

Wild-pitching set Summit back early in the first inning as three Natchez runners took reached base on one hit-by-pitch and two walks.

A throwing error brought home the first two Natchez runs.

&8220;Those three runs set the tone for the ballgame,&8221; Natchez coach Boo Brumfield said.

Jake Brumfield earned the win for Natchez and displayed solid command of his pitches from the mound, but didn&8217;t strike out as many batters as he has been lately. Instead, the Natchez infield got the job done, making hits hard to come by for Summit.

&8220;Jake didn&8217;t have the same zip on his fast ball as usual, but overall his command was good,&8221; coach Brumfield said.

Giovanni Dent had an outstanding night in the field and at the plate, as he teamed up for a double play and provided the game&8217;s only fireworks with his fourth-inning blast over the fence in left-center field.

Summit made a late rally in the sixth inning, as two runners reached base, but failed to bring either runner home.

Game three will determine which team advances to the state playoffs.