NATCHEZ — The 11- and 12-year-old Dixie Youth Tournament started with a bang at Carroll-Jones Field Saturday morning.

In Game 1 Natchez and McComb 12-year-olds got off to a fast start. Starting pitcher Christopher Perry struck-out the first three batters.

Perry got run support from short stop Daniel Huffines’ solo home run in the bottom of the first.

The second inning proved to be tougher.

“I got frustrated, but I was able to work through it,” Perry said.

McComb managed to score four runs off Perry and forcing two errors.

“Christopher got a little shaky in the second,” head coach Gus Perry said. “We didn’t do the things we practice.”

Tyler Duncan relieved Perry in the third inning and McComb scored three runs. Two runs came off McComb right fielder Drew Llewellyn’s home run.

Behind the pitching of Andrew Moroney, Natchez attempted to rally in the last two innings.

Moroney held McComb hitless for the final two innings, striking out three hitters.

Natchez came alive in the fifth to score three runs on three hits. But they fell short losing to McComb 7-5.

“We waited a little late to put the bat to the ball,” Perry said. “I was overall pleased with everything. We did a lot of switching around to see how they would do.”

Perry got the loss for Natchez and Taylor Buckles was the lone player with multiple hits going 2-2.

The Natchez 12s were able to bounce back winning their next two games 11-2 against Pine Hills and 15-0 against Franklin County.

Sky Logan went three for three with a double and one home run vs Pine Hills. Pitcher, Huffines tallied the win.

Perry, Huffines and Duncan had two hits each against Franklin County. Both of Perry’s were doubles. Tanner Martin pitched a shutout.

“I knew we would settle down,” Gus Perry said.

The Natchez 12-year-olds will start their sub-district tournament Thursday at 8 p.m. against Franklin County at Carroll-Jones Field.

McComb 11-year-olds 14, Natchez 0

The 11-year-olds for Natchez and McComb stepped on the field for game 2. Natchez didn’t fair well against the hard-hitting McComb team.

McComb won 14-0 by out hitting Natchez 10 to one.

The third inning hurt the most when McComb scored eight runs off five Natchez errors.

“We came out flat,” head coach Bruce Ross said. “The kids know they are better.”

The Natchez 11s were able to step it up in their last game Saturday afternoon defeating the Franklin County 11-year-old team 4-1.

The Natchez 11-year-old team will have a week off to prepare for the Dixie Youth Sub-District Tournament in Wesson starting July 12.