MAGEE — Jadarius Anderson hit two home runs as the Natchez 11-year-olds All-Stars defeated Gautier 22-11 in five innings Friday afternoon in the opening round of the South Regional Tournament. Anderson’s second home run of the game, a two-run shot with Will Moffett on at third base in the bottom of the fifth inning, allowed Natchez to win the game by way of the 10-run rule. Natchez will take on the winner of the Poplarville-Magee game today at 8 p.m.

Lester Wells was the winning pitcher and went the first two innings. Natchez coach Billy Ray Farmer said he was going to go 2-2-2, but he had to abandon that plan because Gautier was scoring so many runs.

“We had several pitchers after (Wells). We pitched Cameron Farmer, Caleb Watts and Ben Hewitt,” Farmer said. “Our offense proved to overcome our pitching. Everybody produced and everybody contributed.”

In addition to Anderson’s two homers, Cameron Farmer and Watts each went 3-for-3 to lead Natchez’s hitting barrage.

Natchez 9s 11, East Central 1

HATTIESBURG — Even though the Natchez 9-year-olds All-Stars didn’t hit the ball like they have been, they still rolled to a 10-run win over East Central Friday night in the opening round of the South Regional Tournament.

Natchez had only two extra-base hits – both doubles – among its nine hits, yet still scored in five of the six innings. The hit that got things going for the visiting team was a two-run double by Brock Farmer with the bases loaded in the top of the first inning. Farmer went 3-for-3 while Craig Bradley was 2-for-2 and Gage Dossett was 2-for-4. Gabe Smith also had a double for Natchez, which will take on Hattiesburg today at 8 p.m.

Winning pitcher Reed White went the first two innings and allowed just one run on one hit and struck out one. Jacob Jenkins gave up just two hits and struck out eight in four innings of relief.

“Reed pitched a good two innings and helped us to a 5-1 lead,” Natchez coach Gary Farmer said. “Hitting was flat. We’re a big-hitting team. We were able to manufacture some runs. Hopefully tomorrow night we’ll bring our bats.”

With just two pitchers used in its opening game, Natchez still has plenty of pitching available the rest of the tournament.

Tonight’s game will be broadcast on The Groove 101.5 FM.

“We’re playing at a brand new complex here and people are spending money,” Farmer said.