By PATRICK JONES

The Natchez Democrat

NATCHEZ — Once again the McComb Nationals were the home team in their rematch with the Natchez Dixie Youth tee ball All-Stars at the district tournament.

But instead of having to wait until their final at-bat to rally for the win like they did Saturday evening, the McComb Nationals took the lead for good with a four-run rally in the bottom of the third inning and then went on to knock Natchez from the double-elimination tournament with a 29-20 win Sunday afternoon at Carroll-Jones Field.

Natchez got off to a hot start on a warm and humid day with six runs in the top of the first inning. The McComb Nationals answered with seven runs in the bottom of the first for their first lead of the game. Both teams scored five runs in the second inning, giving the McComb Nationals a 12-11 advantage.

After Natchez scored one run in the top of the third inning to tie the game at 12-12, the McComb Nationals responded with four runs in the bottom of the third and a 16-12 lead and then outscored Natchez by a combined 13-8 over the final two innings to move on to the championship round against Franklin County, which received a bye after defeating the McComb Americans Saturday night.

Landon French was 4-for-4 with a double, Jordan Berry also, went 4-for-4, Alex Pollard was 3-for-4 with a triple and Blake Perkins was 3-for-4 to lead Natchez at the plate. Coleman Carter and Austin Helbling each had a double for Natchez, which finished with 27 hits.

Twelve batters accounted for the McComb Nationals’ 33 total hits and each of them had a least two hits. They were led by Zack McArthur, who was 4-for-4 with a double, and Jadon Cooper, who went 2-for-4 with a double and a triple.

The Natchez Dixie Youth 9-10 All-Stars lost 10-2 Saturday night and the 11-12 All-Stars play today.