NATCHEZ — It took an hour rain delay and moving the game to another state but the Natchez 13-year-old Dixie Boys beat Summit 11-7 to claim the District Four Championship Thursday night.

Natchez jumped out an early 7-0 lead in the first but Summit narrowed the margin in the second making the score 7-3.

Collin Hammon was brought in to relieve Natchez starter Jake Brown in the fourth when Summit made it a game scoring three additional runs to make the score 7-6.

“We were kind of worried about Collin because of his back strain,” coach Brain Hammon said. “But he was able to work through it.”

Summit pitcher Trey Terrell tied the game in the top of the sixth with a RBI single to center field.

“We got a little concerned but we have been hitting well so we had a shot,” coach Hammon said.

With the wind bringing in the storm clouds, Hammon led off with a double. Terrell walked one and smart base running by Tyler Jordan on a passed ball loaded the bases for center fielder John Davis.

“John is a great kid,” coach Hammon said. “This is only his second year to play baseball.”

Davis hit a shot down the first base line that went to the fence. All three base runners were able to score before Davis was held up on third.

“That was a great hit for us,” Hammon said.

Davis finished off the four-run rally on a double from Shane Pollen.

The rain started to come down in the seventh as Summit started off the inning by scoring a run to make the score 10-7.

The light rain turned to a downpour as the umpires instructed both teams to their dugouts.

According to the Dixie Boys rule book, a championship game has to play a full seven innings to decide a winner.

The coaches and umpires decided the field was not in playable condition and the game was to be continued at the Vidalia Dixie Youth fields.

“We had to finish,” coach Hammon said. “We didn’t want to go to Summit and they didn’t want to come back Friday. Going to Vidalia was the best solution.”

The trip to Vidalia gave Hammon time to rest. He struck out three of the first four batters for Summit to earn the save.

“I felt good when I got on the mound,” Hammon said. “The mound is taller in Vidalia so I was able to throw harder.”

Hammon went 4 for 4 with a double and one RBI, Tyler Brumfield had two RBIs and Davis went 2 for 2 with a triple and five RBIs.

Natchez will play July 21 at 4:30 p.m. in the Dixie Boys State Tournament at Laurel.