BROOKHAVEN — Matthew Burns hit a two-run triple during a four-run rally in the bottom of the sixth inning as Wesson defeated the Natchez 11-year-old All-Stars 7-6 in seven innings Monday night at the District 6 Sub-district Tournament.

In the bottom of the seventh inning, Christopher White struck out the first batter, only to walk the next batter. White then struck out the third batter of the inning, but he walked the very next batter he faced to put runners at first and second. Then Tyler McLeod doubled to bring in the game-winning run.

“They were right at the heart of their lineup. They got the hit when they needed it,” Natchez coach Jeff Webb said. “McLeod’s their best hitter. That’s who you want at the plate if you’re them.”

Wesson went into the bottom of the sixth trailing Natchez 6-2 and it appeared that the visiting team in this game was well on its way to advancing in the winners’ bracket. But a controversial play at second base in the bottom of the sixth changed things.

“They had a runner on first and third with one out. We decided to get the out at second and let one run score. We threw to second and we would have had the runner out by five feet,” Webb said. “Our shortstop, Andrew Beesley was going to make the tag, but the runner hurdled over him instead of sliding, which I thought he was supposed to do, and was called safe at second. The umpire said he didn’t have to slide. That kind of turned the momentum of the game. Then we never got control of the game.”

Daniel Lyle’s single scored Justin Boone for the first run of that inning to cut Natchez’s lead to 6-3. Then after the controversial call gave Wesson runners at first and second, Burns tripled to make it a 6-5 game. Burns then scored on a two-out single by Eric Rhymes.

“We felt like we had the ball game in hand, then we lost control,” Webb said.

Luke Thomas started the game for Natchez and went two innings before being relived by White, who pitched the final four and two-thirds innings.

Natchez scored one run in the top of the first inning, but Wesson responded with two runs in the bottom of the first. In the top of the third, Bradley Jones doubled to score Tyler Wilson and Cole Melton. Then in the top of the fourth, White led off with a double and scored on a double by Will Moffett. Moffett then scored on the third of three consecutive walks and Brody Cole scored on a passed ball to give Natchez a 6-2 lead.

Yet despite having 14 hits in the game to just eight for Wesson, Natchez was held scoreless in the final four innings.

The Natchez 11-year-olds All-Stars will take on the Lincoln County Americans in an elimination game today at 6 p.m.