MONROE, La. — The Concordia Parish 9-year-old All-Star team got off to a good start in Bracket B of the District 5 Tournament with an 18-9 win against the Winnsboro All-Stars Friday morning.

Concordia Parish had to work a little harder for the win than head coach Arin Rushing probably would have liked. After winning pitcher Jake Spears allowed just one run and no hits in three innings, Blake Grayson came on with the visiting team leading 6-1 after three-and-a-half innings. But in the bottom of the fourth, Winnsboro rallied for five runs to tie the game at 6-6.

“We had that one rocky inning,” Rushing said. “But we pulled together and scored eight in the (top of) the sixth to pull away.”

Before that happened, Concordia Parish took the lead for good with a four-run rally of its own in the top of the fifth inning. Trailing 18-6, Winnsboro put up three runs in the bottom of the sixth, but it was not nearly enough.

Spears struck out seven batters while walking two. He was given plenty of run support thanks to five runs in the top of the second inning. Grayson gave up five hits, struck out three and walked three.

“He was close to flawless,” Rushing said about Jake Spears. “The kids’ hitting was amazing. These kids played amazing today. I’m proud of them.”

Spears helped his cause by going 3-for-5 with a double while Gabe Rushing went 3-for-3 and Bryce Roberts went 3-for-4. Michael Williams was 2-for-2, Tyrin Jordan was 3-for-5 and Kameron Carter was 2-for-4.

The Concordia Parish 9-year-old All-Stars play two games today, first against East Ouachita at 4 p.m. and then they take on West Monroe North at 8 p.m.

Natchez 10-year-old All-Stars 13, Lincoln County Americans 3

GALLMAN — Ronnie McMillin pitched three solid innings as the Natchez 10-year-old All-Stars needed just four innings to defeat the Lincoln County Americans 13-3 Friday afternoon at the sub-district tournament hosted at Copiah Academy.

Landon Lees came in to pitch the fourth inning for Natchez. No hitting statistics were available.

The Natchez 10-year-old All-Star team takes on host Copiah today at 6 p.m.

Natchez 11-12-year-old All-Stars 4, Walthall All-Stars 2

BROOKHAVEN — The Natchez 11- and 12-year-old All-Stars held on for a 4-2 win over the Walthall All-Stars Friday afternoon at the district tournament.

Landon Davis was the winning pitcher for Natchez. No other information on the game was available.

The Natchez 11- and 12-year-old All-Stars will take on Franklin County at 8 p.m. today.