NATCHEZ — Trinity head coach Matt Mason may have called it ugly baseball, but Game 1 of the MPSA Class 2A Playoffs went to the Saints as they took a 9-4 win over Copiah in the three game playoff series.

“We pitched well enough to win, but it was just ugly baseball.” Mason said. “But I’ve also never seen a pretty loss.”

Trinity (20-5) took an early lead over the Colonels, and Copiah starting pitcher Scotty Reese was pulled after two innings of work after allowing Trinity to score two runs in each of the first and second innings.

The Colonels used four pitchers in the game and combined to hit a total of five Saints batters.

Trinity starting pitcher Brian Sanderson was also replaced after struggling in the third inning with three walks, including a bases-loaded walk that plated a Copiah runner.

The Saints sent Matt Barnes to the mound and Barnes salvaged the inning for Trinity, but not before the Colonels scored three runs to tie the game at four.

Trinity came back and scored four runs in the bottom of the third thanks to a single by Barnes, three walks, one hit batsman, and two Copiah errors.

Copiah was held scoreless over the next four innings and Trinity scored one more insurance run in the bottom of the sixth before taking the win over the Colonels.

“I don’t think we played very well tonight,” Mason said. “We didn’t execute and we didn’t play great defense.”

Barnes earned the win for Trinity while Trevor Bullock was dealt the loss for Copiah.

Parker Brumfield batted 2-for-3 for Trinity with a double and a triple while Sanderson also had a triple in the contest.

If the Saints win the second game of the series Thursday in Gallman, they will advance to the second round of the playoffs. If not, there will be a Game 3 played at Chester Willis Field Friday.