NATCHEZ — With one inning left, the B&K Bank 11- and 12-year-olds’ undefeated T.M. Jennings record was in jeopardy Thursday evening.

B&K Bank was tied with East Automotive 6-6, and with B&K batting in the top of the seventh inning, head coach Ernest Woods Sr. told his team it was now or never.

“I told them that we needed the runs and that we had to step up,” Woods said.

His players responded by scoring three runs and having closer Chris Scott seal the win in the bottom of the seventh inning to preserve B&K’s unblemished record.

With all the hard work his players put in, Woods said he wasn’t surprised by Thursday’s outcome.

“With the practicing and the hitting we’ve done in the batting cage, they’ve formed a hell of a nucleus,” Woods said.

Woods also said his players know how to respond when the game is on the line.

“That’s what wins championships, being able to play through adversity,” Woods said.

Although Woods didn’t draft any of his players, there’s at least some familiarity between him and the athletes he coaches. He said between T.M. Jennings, youth basketball and Natchez Falcons youth football, most of Woods’ players have played for him in the past.

“Everyone out there has been on my team at least one time, except for the lone girl, Desiree Gooden,” Woods said. “They know me, so they know what I expect.”

Twelve-year-old Shavoke Herrington was at catcher for B&K Thursday night, and Woods got onto Herrington a few times about maintaining his composure. Despite any frustration he felt while his coach was getting onto him, Herrington said afterward that he understood what Woods was trying to tell him.

“He was explaining to me not to catch an attitude and get behind yourself, because it’ll bring you down,” Herrington said. “It’s important to maintain a good feeling, because you might lose and give up.”

Herrington said he enjoys playing for Woods.

“He’s nice. He’s not going to yell at you too quickly,” Herrington said.

Scott also said he enjoys playing for Woods, since he’s been able to learn a lot from his coach.

“It’s great. He helps us with fundamentals and tells us the right things to do, and it helps us win,” Scott said.

Scott said it was exciting to close out a game and keep B&K’s undefeated season intact.

“There’s not really much pressure,” Scott said. “I’ve started and closed (games), so I’m used to everything.”

Woods said he’s willing to have his team play anyone that’s open to challenging his players.

“We’ve already played Cami’s Record from Fayette,” Woods said. “We would love to play more out-of-league games, whether it’s Dixie Youth in Vidalia, Natchez or whoever. We just want these kids to get more experience.”