NATCHEZ — Natchez High School took a comfortable 7-0 lead into the top of the seventh inning against Terry High School Tuesday night.

In hindsight, that lead might have been a little too comfortable, NHS head coach Charlie Williams said.

NHS committed three errors in the seventh, giving Terry life, but pitcher Javon Washington was able to secure the win despite Terry scoring three runs.

“(The last inning) was a struggle,” Williams said. “I think we had a little too much confidence up 7-0, and lost focus a little bit.”

Terry was able to cut the score to 7-3, before Washington struck out the final two batters for the win.

Washington went the full seven innings. He only allowed three unearned runs and two hits, while striking out 12 batters.

“(Washington) did an outstanding job for us, as always,” Williams said.

Natchez was able to grab a 2-0 lead after one inning. Jadarrius Williams and Washington both scored on a Terry error in the first.

Natchez would add two more in the fourth on a Trevon Chatman triple, which scored Derrian Johnson and Jonathan Hawkins.

Natchez would tack on two more runs in the fifth, with a run by Davion Ward and Washington’s second run of the day. They would add their seventh run in the bottom of the sixth when Chatman reached on a single and scored on an error.

That would give Natchez a seven run lead going into the top of the last inning.

Westin Stringer led off the inning for Terry by reaching on an error by shortstop Trevonta Green. Then, Joshua Townes walked and Ryan Smith reached on an error by Chatman.

A sacrifice fly and a second error by Chatman made the score 7-3, with a runner on third.

Washington then fanned Matt Knight and Corey Lee to end the game, and put Natchez at 8-5 and 3-1 in the region.

“I am very elated,” Williams said.

“It’s a very big win. It puts us in a tie for first place (in the region).”

Chatman led the Natchez Bulldogs on offense. He went 2-for-3, and drove in what turned out to be the game- winning run, with his two RBI triple in the fourth.

Natchez will face Wingfield Friday at home.