NATCHEZ — The Trinity Episcopal baseball team is just one win away from winning its first-ever state championship after traveling to Winona Christian Tuesday night and dominating game one of the three-game series, 9-0.

“We went up there with expectations to win,” Trinity coach Mitch Ashmore said. “We didn’t know a lot about what we were going to face. Their kids came out and made a couple of mistakes that we took advantage of.

“It’s an awesome feeling to come up here, not knowing what you’re going to be facing, and getting out with a win.”

Trinity (23-3) was led by an outstanding pitching performance by Jake Winston.

Winston threw all seven innings for the win. He gave up only two hits and no walks while striking out 11. The win puts Winston’s record at 9-1 on the season.

“(Winston) worked quick, threw a lot of strikes and got ground balls,” Ashmore said. “He got out without throwing many pitches and had command. When he has command and works quick he’s tough to beat.”

The Saints offense did not have a bad night either.

Trinity scored its nine runs on 11 hits and two Winona errors.

Winston was a force at the plate Tuesday night as well, going 3-for-5 with two doubles. Scott Turner also doubled and was 2-for-3. Caleb Gillespie added two hits of his own for Trinity in four at-bats.

Trinity opened up the game by scoring one run in each of the first three innings. Then the Saints blew it open with six runs in the fourth to secure the win and put themselves a win away from the title.

“I was a little concerned early because we left people on base and that can come back to haunt you,” Ashmore said.

With one game under their belts against Winona, the Saints now have a little familiarity with their opponent, but Ashmore said they learned more about themselves.

“(I think we learned) that we’re a good ball club, and if we play well and don’t make a lot of mistakes we’re tough.”

Although the Game 1 win is nice, Ashmore said his team obviously still has work to do.

“Our kids know what we’re striving for, and the job is not done. We have got to win one out of two,” Ashmore said. “(Winona) is going to come ready to play.”

Game 2 of the series will be played at 6 p.m. Thursday at Huntington Field. If necessary, Game 3 will be played immediately following.