HATTIESBURG — Just like in years past when Natchez High travels to Hattiesburg to play against two different teams, the Bulldogs struggled in their first game and then came roaring back in their second game.

That was no exception on Saturday as Natchez High lost to the Hattiesburg Tigers 12-2 in six innings in a game that started at 10 a.m. and then dominated Poplarville en route to a 7-0 win over the Hornets in the afternoon tilt.

In the first game, Natchez High didn’t score until the top of the fifth inning. But by then Hattiesburg was ahead 8-0 thanks to a pair of four-run innings. The Tigers finished off the Bulldogs by scoring two runs in the bottom of the fifth and two more in the bottom of the sixth.

“I don’t know if it was the ride over there. We struggled at the plate. And when we did get on, we made some base running mistakes. I hope we learn from those base running mistakes and not do them again,” Bulldogs head coach Charlie Williams said.

Devondrick Moffett went 2-for-4 with a double and Darien Brown went 2-for-3 to lead Hattiesburg.

In the win over Poplarville, Derrian Johnson and Javon Washington combined to pitch a three-hitter. Johnson went six and one-third innings to pick up the victory and Washington came in to get the final two outs.

Natchez High hit the ball better and played better defensively against the Hornets than it did in the loss to the Tigers. The Bulldogs wound up with nine hits and committed no errors.

“It was a totally different team after the first game. They are playing close to what we expect them to play now,” Williams said. “We continue to improve game after game.”

As for Johnson’s performance on the mound, Williams said, “Derrian did a masterful job. He kept them off balance with his curveball and changeup. The ground balls, we made the plays, which is a plus.”

The Bulldogs broke a scoreless ball game with three runs in the bottom of the third inning and put the game out of reach with three more runs just an inning later. They scored their final run of the game in the bottom of the sixth.

“Poplarville’s record may not indicate it, but they’re a very solid ball team,” Williams said.

Washington went 3-for-4 with a double and Davion Ward was 2-for-4 with both his hits going for doubles.

Natchez High (4-4) returns to Division 6-6A action on Tuesday when it travels to Jackson to take on Wingfield. The junior varsity game starts at 4 p.m. and the varsity game follows at 6 p.m.

Centreville 12, Bowling Green 2

CENTREVILLE — Colby Shaw pitched four-hit ball over five and one-third innings and Ethan Noland went 3-for-3 with a double as the Centreville Academy Tigers rolled past the Bowling Green School Buccaneers Saturday afternoon.

Centreville ended the game in the bottom of the sixth inning by scoring three runs to put the 10-run mercy rule into effect. The Tigers blew the game open by scoring five runs in the bottom of the second inning and three in the bottom of the third to make it an 8-1 ball game.

Shaw struck out six batters and walked just one to pick up the win despite Centreville’s defense committing four errors. The Tigers overcome those defensive miscues by pounding out 12 hits. Hunter Travis went 3-for-4 while Shaw was 2-for-3 and Tyler Towles went 2-for-5.

Centreville (10-4), ranked No. 3 in MAIS Class AA, hosts Brookhaven Academy Monday with the JV game at 5 p.m. and the varsity game to follow at 7 p.m.

Franklin Parish 12, Vidalia 4

COLUMBIA, La. — Vidalia got off to a decent start with one run in the top of the first inning. Then came the bottom of the first inning as Franklin Parish scored five runs to take the lead for good as the Patriots defeated the Vikings Saturday at the Caldwell Parish Tournament.

Vidalia walked three batters before Mason Gallup hit a grand slam home run to give Franklin Parish a 4-1 lead. Brian Moroni added a solo shot to allow the Patriots to take a 5-1 lead.

However, the Patriots weren’t done. In the bottom of the second inning, they scored six more runs to go up 11-1. Yet they weren’t able to 10-run rule the Vikings because they scored two runs in the top of the fifth inning and one in the top of the sixth.

Gallup also had a double and went 2-for-5. Jamal Davis led Vidalia the plate by going 3-for-3 with a double.

Vidalia (2-8) plays host to Jena in its District 3-3A opener Monday. The JV game begins at 4 p.m. and the varsity game gets under way at 6 p.m.

Monterey wins two at Grace Christian Tournament

ALEXANDRIA, La. — The Monterey Wolves may have something to build on after winning both of their games at the 2011 Grace Christian Baseball Tournament

On Friday night, Monterey had no problem defeating Lafayette Christian Academy 13-0. Hunter Frey was the winning pitcher in that game.

Then on Saturday afternoon, the Wolves held on for a 4-2 win over the Grand Lake Hornets 4-2. Ashton Holland got the win on the mound for the Wolves.

Monterey (3-7) hosts Oak Hill in District 6-B action Tuesday at 4 p.m.