A six-run second inning was all Pascagoula would need to eliminate Natchez High from the MHSAA Class 5A playoffs Friday night.

After a scoreless first inning, Pascagoula teed off on Natchez High starter Edward Johnson, notching three base hits and scoring six runs. Steve Tait and Buck Grady each had RBI singles for Pascagoula (20-12), and Cal Mitchell had a two-RBI double in the inning.

And the Bulldogs (12-12) had little opportunity to get back in the game, as Panther starter Mitchell had a no-hitter going heading into the sixth inning before Natchez’s Melvin Davis broke through with a bunt single.

A passed ball and an error by Mitchell allowed Desmond Smoot, who had reached on an error, to score, and Davis also scored on the throwing error. Johnson was then driven in on a fielder’s choice to account for Natchez High’s runs.

“Our thing was after we got up 7-0 we kind of relaxed,” Pascagoula head coach Johnny Olsen said. “When you’re playing anybody you’ve got to keep the pressure on them.”

While disappointed with the loss, Natchez High head coach Charlie Williams said he had never been happier with his team.

“For one game, they didn’t quit on me,” he said. “They kept fighting, and they fought hard. We just couldn’t get it done. I’m extremely proud of my boys. They did a good job tonight. It just wasn’t to be.”

Mitchell took the win for the Panthers, going six and one-third innings and striking out 10 and allowing only two hits. Justin Diehl came on in the seventh and struck out both batters he faced to close the game out.

Johnson took the loss for Natchez, but Cameron Logan pitched well in relief, allowing only one run in five and two-thirds innings of work.

Jann Butler was 2-for-2 for Pascagoula, and Diehl batted 2-for-4 on the night.

Pascagoula will face the winner of Oak Grove and Hattiesburg in the second round of the playoffs next week.