By Reina Kempt

NATCHEZ — Pilgrim Baptist Church never gave up Wednesday night as they came back from a 4-point deficit to upset Supervisor Grennell 12-10.

The game started off well for Pilgrim as they went up 3-1 at the end of the first inning. Jairyn Lewis, Travis Berry and Tyrese Brown all stole second, third, and home on consecutive pitches to take the early lead.

But this would be the last lead they saw for a while as Grennell’s pitcher, Javontae Washington, finally warmed up in the second inning to provide some tough defense against Pilgrim.

He threw for seven strikeouts in just three innings of pitching time.

Grennell head coach Jonathan Ivory said Washington was a big factor.

“He is my only returning pitcher,” Ivory said. “He helped a lot today.”

His defense was accompanied by equally strong offense, as Anthony Smith hit one hard to allow Camry Scott to score.

Simone Allen stole home on a passed ball just moments later to even the score 3-3.

Grennell saw three more runs in the second inning as Roderick Sampson got a hit to right field to bring Anthony Smith home, and he later scored on a passed ball.

Brandon Johnson smacked one into left field to bring Washington in for their sixth score.

With the score 6-3, Pilgrim responded in the bottom of the second with two RBIs of their own. Jordan Donald connected with the ball to assist Lewis with the score. Brown then brought Donald home with a long hit to left field.

Brown then scored one on his own, stealing home on a passed ball to tie it 6-6.

Grennell responded in the third inning with major offense.

Scott started the inning off strong as she hit to left field to get herself on first then stole second, third and home to up the score 7-6.

After the one-man show, Grennell got themselves a couple of RBIs.

Simpson came back to the plate and assisted Kamryn Gales on the score. And Washington led the way for Simpson to bring it in and push Grennell ahead 10-6.

Pilgrim head coach Louis Johnson repeatedly told his players not to give up hope.

“I told them to just stay calm, the game isn’t over,” Johnson said. “It doesn’t take but one mistake to make a comeback.”

In the bottom of the third, Pilgrim certainly didn’t give up hope as Berry led the way to inch back within one by the end of the inning.

Berry stepped to the plate and brought in both Jaylen Irving and Lewis before stealing home on a passed ball moments later.

Pilgrim went into the outfield only down one in the fourth inning and shut Grennell down as they did not score for the first time all game to keep the score 10-9.

Brown had four strikeouts on the game.

Pilgrim, however, still had plenty of gas left as they scored three hits on RBIs to finish the game.

Kamyrn Singleton scored off of Irving’s hit to right field and then Lewis brought Irving in for the score.

Now up 11-10, Berry went for his third RBI bringing home Lewis for the final score 12-10.

The game ended before the fifth inning because of a set time limit.

Along with four strikeouts, Brown tallied two scores to help lead Pilgrim to the comeback victory.

Brown said the key to his success was his temper.

“I didn’t get mad when we were down,” he said. “We just had to have more energy and we came back.”

Pilgrim went for their third consecutive win this week.

“We won Monday, Tuesday and again today, so I’m happy about our success,” Johnson said.

The season is just getting started and both teams will practice and return to the field after Memorial Day next week.