NATCHEZ — It took eight innings, but the Natchez 12-year-old Dixie Youth All-Stars were able to pull off a 3-2 victory over Copiah in the first round of the Dixie Youth tournament.

Natchez struck first in the bottom of the second when second baseman Dylan Galbreath hit a sacrifice fly to deep center, scoring Scotty Floyd from third and giving Natchez a 1-0 lead.

In the bottom of the fourth Brandon Ross extended the Natchez lead to 2-0 on a fielders choice to the Copiah third baseman that scored center fielder Lee Jackson from third.

Copiah would not go quietly into the night.

In the top of the fifth, Copiah’s Matt Doris took the first pitch he saw from pitcher Tyler Buckles and swatted it over the right field wall for a solo home run.

Copiah’s next batter, Cooper Henry, hit a come-backer off Buckles’ knee. The injury required Buckles to leave the game as Natchez’ pitcher, although he was still able to hit.

Ross came into the game in relief and promptly hit the first batter he faced before striking out Logan Smith to end the Copiah threat in the fifth.

In the top of the sixth, Ross once again hit the first batter he faced.

After striking out Tyler Lott, Ross walked Dale Stratton and Mason Ferrell back-to-back to load the bases for Clayton Williams.

Williams struck out looking, but the first pitch to the Trevor Cooper sailed wild, scoring Drew from third to tie the game.

Ross was able to strikeout Cooper looking to get out of the sixth inning jam.

“I think Brandon was just a little too pumped up and was over-throwing,” Natchez head coach Bruce Ross said.

Scotty Floyd came into the game for Natchez in the seventh and was effective, striking out two and allowing just one hit in two innings of work.

“Scotty came in and did great,” Bruce Ross said. “He threw strikes.”

In the bottom of the eighth, Buckles proved he wasn’t too hurt from being hit earlier, leading off the inning for Natchez with a triple over the right fielder.

“That’s all we ask him to do, just drive the ball,” Bruce Ross said. “Put it into play and something good is going to happen.”

In the next at-bat, Brandon Ross hit a ball past the shortstop to give Natchez the decisive 3-2 lead on his walk-off single.

Floyd picked up the win for Natchez, while Mason Ferrell — who came into the game in relief of Clayton Williams — was tagged with the loss.

“I don’t tknow what to say about their starting pitcher. He pitched a heck of a game,” Bruce Ross said.

Although he earned a no-decision, Copiah’s Williams was near lights out.

The right-hander struck out 11 allowed two unearned runs, while surrendering just two hits and one walk.

Natchez will play Wesson tomorrow at 8 p.m. at Duncan Park.

Brandon Ross is slated to start on the mound for Natchez.