From staff reports

NATCHEZ — The Natchez Dixie Boys 13-year-old All-Stars held off a late rally by the Summit All-Stars to take a 10-8 win Tuesday afternoon at Covington Field to take a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three district championship series.

Natchez will look to clinch the district title when Game 2 takes place Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at Covington Field. However, if Summit wins, a third game will take place at a day and time to be determined.

During the game the district director said that Tuesday’s game would determine the district champion. However, that turned out not to be the case.

“The other coaches didn’t know about it,” Natchez 13s head coach Dee Dee Smith said. “It will be a best two-out-of-three tournament, which is what is was supposed to be to anyway.”

Natchez took a 1-0 lead in the first inning and held that lead until Summit scored three runs in the top of the fourth to take its only lead of the game. Natchez answered with three runs in the bottom of the fourth and two more in the bottom of the fifth.

However, Summit scored two runs in the top of the fifth to cut Natchez’s lead to one run at 6-5. After Natchez scored four runs in the bottom of the fifth to take a 10-5 lead, Summit tried to rally one last time, but came up a few runs short.

Jake Brown went 2-for-4 with a double and Tyler Brumfield was 2-for-3 with a double for Natchez, which won despite being out-hit 13 to 11. Losing pitcher Kelby Hart went 3-for-4 and Justin Holmes had a pair of doubles.