MCCOMB — The Natchez 10-year-old All-Stars out-hit the McComb All-Stars, but they were not able to to turn those hits into runs and the result was a 6-2 win by McComb at the district tournament.

With the win McComb took a one-game lead in the best-of-three series with a berth in the state tournament on the line. The series will shift back to Natchez on Monday with Game 2 to take place at Carroll-Jones Field at 6 p.m. If Natchez wins that game, a third and deciding game will follow.

The difference in the outcome was that Natchez was not able to bring in runners in scoring position. Natchez had 11 hits in the game to eight for McComb.

“We left 10 men on base. We just didn’t have the key hit at the key time,” Natchez coach Jeff Webb said. “You’re going to have to beat McComb. They’re not going to beat themselves. They hit the ball and play good defense.”

In the top of the first inning, Natchez had two runners on base but couldn’t get them across home plate. Natchez had the bases loaded in the top of the fourth inning only to end up leaving it that way for yet another scoreless inning.

McComb scored two runs in the bottom of the first inning before Natchez cut into the lead. Luke Thomas singled, moved into scoring position on a single by Nicholas Webb, and scored when Brody Cole hit into a fielder’s choice.

The big hit for McComb that put the game away was a two-run single by Sanders Ott in the bottom of the third inning that helped give the home team a 5-1 lead.

Edwin Byrne hit a triple and scored on a single by Darrick Lewis in the top of the fifth to make it a 5-2 game, but McComb answered with one run in the bottom of the fifth.

Coach Webb said his team was tired during practice on Thursday after having to play a lot of 8:30 p.m. games during the sub-district tournament. However, he also said that his team was ready to play even though the game was the day after the Fourth of July and they had to play on the road.

“They were dragging some. We had a light practice Thursday,” Webb said. “They played pretty well. We’ve got to get ready for Monday.”