CLEVELAND — The Natchez 6-under all-star team qualified for the Dixie Youth World Series in Searcy, Ark., by finishing runner up in the the state tournament Sunday.

Natchez won its semifinal game against Cleveland 20-5, but lost the championship game to a team from Poplarville, which Natchez coach Wes Middleton said was stout.

“(Poplarville is) a good team,” Middleton said. “Their whole infield is solid, and they hit well. They place it well and hit a lot to the outfield.”

Middleton expressed his pride for how far his team has come in four weeks together, and said his T-ballers are excited to play on a big stage in two weeks.

“They’re jacked,” Middleton said. “We’re going to the mountains, and from what I’ve seen this is an amazing complex.”