Natchez —Monday night Sports Center defeated Coke 3-2 in a pitchers duel to claim the 11-and-12 year-olds Dixie Youth championship.

Coke promptly scored two runs up in the first inning when a ball was misplayed, allowing leadoff hitter Trey Flemming to score from first. Thomas Garrity, who reached third off the error, scored later in the inning off of Devin McDaniel’s RBI single.

Sports Center bounced right back, as centerfielder Lee Jackson scored from second in the bottom of the inning on an error to make it 2-1.

From the conclusion of the first, the game became a pitcher’s duel. Sports Center’s starting pitcher, Brandon Ross, struck out eight through three innings and permitted only one free pass.

Not to be outdone, 11 year-old Trey Flemming struckout six while walking three.

Despite the pitching duel, Sports Center managed to tie the game in the third inning.

Lee Jackson again came up clutch, walking with no outs, and then proceeding to easily swipe second and third — he would eventually score on a fielder’s choice.

Sports Center continued to threaten in the third, but a stellar diving grab by Jordan Arnold and more Flemming strikeouts got Coke through the rest of the third unblemished.

The game would remain a stand-still from there on out.

Both pitchers were dominant, and, as a result, the game would need extra innings to decide the outcome, with both starting pitchers being relieved after seven innings.

Ross finished with 20 strikeouts, and only two walks. Flemming was equally impressive, whiffing 15 while giving away four walks.

Finally, Coke reliever Devin McDaniel allowed back-to-back singles and walked one to load the bases in the eighth.

It was then that Turner Lessley made the ultimate sacrifice and took one for the team, allowing Ross to walk to score the game — and championship winning — run.