CLEVELAND — The Natchez 6-under T-ball all-star team split a doubleheader Saturday, losing to Poplarville 18-3 in Game 1 and beating Indianola 20-5 in Game 2.

“The first game, I don’t know what happened,” coach Wes Middleton said. “We hit the ball, but it was to the shortstop every time … I thought we could play with them … it wasn’t anybody’s fault.”

The bats came alive for Natchez in the afternoon game as they 15-run ruled Indianola.

“We have not hit the ball all tournament like we can until this afternoon,” Middleton said.

Natchez will play Cleveland in the semifinals at 11 a.m. A win puts them in the championship in the afternoon against Poplarville.