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The Natchez High School baseball team recognized its four seniors for senior night Wednesday. Pictured are, front row, from left, Jordan Hamilton, Tydarius Terrell, Charlie Latham, Jeremy Lewis; back frow, from left, assitant coaches Taylor Burton, Steve Collins, Robert Benson and head coach Dan Smith. The Bulldogs will take on Wayne County in the opening round the MHSAA Class 5A playoffs beginning at 6 p.m. Friday at Chester Willis Field. (Reed DeSalvo | The Natchez Democrat)

The Natchez High School baseball team sprints to the outfield fence at Chester Willis Field last week during a baseball game against Brookhaven High School. The Bulldogs are set to take on Wayne County in the opening round of the MHSAA playoffs at 6 p.m. Friday. (Nicole Hester | The Natchez Democrat)

At any given moment during a Natchez High baseball game, it’s not uncommon for one or more Bulldog players to spring from the dugout and dash toward the 285-foot sign resting on the outfield wall at Chester Willis Field.

For most teams, the in-game sprints may be out of the ordinary, but for Natchez, it’s just part of third-year coach Dan Smith’s teaching philosophy.

Smith said the reason for the running is to help his youthful team grow as individuals and learn from their mistakes. It’s hard to dispute the results as Natchez is heading to the MHSAA playoffs for a third consecutive year under Smith.

The Bulldogs are set to take on Wayne County in a best-of-three MHSAA Class 5A playoff series beginning at 6 p.m. Friday in Natchez.

“I want them to stay focused, and it’s easy for kids to get unfocused during games,” Smith said. “At any time, at any mistake, they know they’ve got 285.”

Added junior shortstop Jatavis Melton, “I’m always like, ‘Coach, really, during the middle of the game?” he said, laughing. “But it’s all about making us better.”

Smith said entering the year, he did not know what to expect, having just a handful of upperclassmen on roster.

In the Bulldogs’ Region 6-5A home finale against Brookhaven last week, Natchez started a ninth-grader at pitcher with an eighth-grader leading off, all the while employing just two senior starters.

However, the youthful Bulldogs have more than held their own in helping lead Natchez to a second-place finish in the region.

“I’m proud of all those young guys,” Smith said. “I didn’t know how this season was going to go. All my middle school kids have grown up a whole lot.”

Melton echoed Smith’s sentiments, saying the younger players are playing their best at the right time of the year.

“I’ve seen a lot of growth out of those guys, especially toward the end of the season,” he said.

Wayne County (10-13, 2-7) enters the series having lost its past seven games, but Smith said he is not taking the War Eagles lightly.

“It’s the playoffs,” he said. “All the teams are good. It’s all about who can get hot at the right time.”

Natchez capped off its regular season with a 7-6 win over Jefferson County Wednesday.

Senior right-handed hurler Jordan Hamilton will get the start on the mound Friday for Natchez.

More Natchez High sports

Gautier needs long TD pass to hold off Natchez High in first round of playoffs

Natchez High hits the road to face Gautier in 1st round of MHSAA Class 5A South State Playoffs

FRIDAY NIGHT SCOREBOARD: Week 14 Games

‘We had our opportunities’: Bulldogs fall to Brookhaven, on road for first round of South State (gallery)