Natchez High beats Jefferson Co.

Published 12:04 am Thursday, March 1, 2012

Natchez High School’s Davion Ward slides into third base as Jefferson County High School’s Monroe Barnes runs by during Wednesday night’s game at Chester Willis Field. (Lauren Wood \ The Natchez Democrat)

NATCHEZ — The Natchez High School baseball team got a lot of help from Jefferson County and scored six runs in the sixth inning of their matchup Wednesday night at Chester Willis field.

The Bulldogs drew five walks and forced four Tiger errors to push their six runs across, and that was enough to jumpstart Natchez to an 11-4 victory.

The Bulldogs had another big inning in the bottom of the sixth when they scored four runs on three singles and a couple of walks. But despite Natchez’s two big innings, head coach Skip Golding said his team still has work to do offensively.

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“Our hitting needs to improve,” Golding said. “And our base running skills are not where they need to be.”

Natchez left 12 runners on base and also had a few base running gaffs that prevented more runs.

Golding said situational hitting is something that the Bulldogs work on each day.

“We continue to work on our hitting system and some guys are picking it up and some are still not listening,” Golding said.

Jefferson County was able to take an early lead in Wednesday’s game when the Tigers pushed three runs across in the top of the second inning.

DeAnthony Blake had the big hit in the inning with an RBI double.

Jefferson County head coach Jerrold Lyles said he was pleased with the way his team swung the bats.

“We were more aggressive today,” Lyles said. “We weren’t tentative and in turn it gave us a better advantage.”

Lyles said the fielding errors were what killed the Tigers Wednesday.

Natchez High School’s Jarell Morris tries to outrun Jefferson County High School players to home plate during Wednesday’s game at Chester Willis Field. (Lauren Wood \ The Natchez Democrat)

“Errors cost us,” Lyles said. “We will just have to go back to the drawing board and work on fundamentals with pop-up drills and throwing.”

Natchez starter Derrian Johnson got the win after completing three innings and giving up just three runs. Only one of those runs was earned for Johnson, and he struck out three batters while walking four and giving up one hit.

Dominique Salter came in to finish the final four innings of the game for the Bulldogs.

“We are pitching better and not walking as many guys,” Golding said about the two Bulldog pitchers that threw Wednesday night.

Devon Wittinton took the loss for Jefferson County after coming in in the bottom of the second inning and giving up nine runs. Wittinton did not pitch badly, however, as just three of those runs were earned.

Natchez finished the night with five hits. Salters went 1-2 with a double, and Christian Day, Johnson, Davion Ward and Travonta Green each had singles.

Jefferson County had four hits in the contest, and defensively the Tigers finished with nine errors.

Natchez (2-1) will face Cathedral Saturday, while Jefferson County (0-3) will open up district play with Crystal Springs Saturday.