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ACCS teammates congratulate Jack Whitehead after he hit a homerun during Tuesday's baseball game in Natchez. (Nicole Hester | The Natchez Democrat)

ACCS's Jack Whitehead prepares for Tuesday's baseball game in Natchez. (Nicole Hester | The Natchez Democrat)

ACCS's Rhet McDonald runs to third base Tuesday during the baseball game in Natchez. (Nicole Hester | The Natchez Democrat)

ACCS's Connor Aplin defends second base Tuesday during the baseball game in Natchez (Nicole Hester | The Natchez Democrat)

Makenna Patt sits with Shoogie and Nique Gaines as Gaines laughs while Shoogie tries to sneak a kiss Tuesday during the baseball game at ACCS. (Nicole Hester | The Natchez Democrat)

From left, Kamron Barnes, Kyron Barnes, Brooklyn Timmons, Madeline Foley, Sara Gordon and Destiny Idom sit together underneath layers of blankets at the top of the stands at ACCS Tuesday during a baseball game in Natchez. (Nicole Hester | The Natchez Democrat)

By TIM GUERCIO

The Natchez Democrat

NATCHEZ — The Adams County Christian School Rebels pitched themselves out of a jam in the late innings Tuesday night to secure the lead and beat the River Oaks Mustangs of Monroe 5-4.

Catcher Jack Whitehead made sure the Rebels scored first when he hit a towering blast over the right-centerfield fence giving the Rebels a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first.

Senior pitcher Andrew Merriett started the game and allowed one unearned run in the second inning while pitching himself out of a bases-loaded situation.

With Merriett pitching and the Rebel defense in the field they only allowed one run until the sixth inning.

In the bottom of the fourth with ACCS up 3-1 and a man on third; the dugout coach gave Nelson Owens the bunt sign. Owens pulled it off with perfection to squeeze home Trip Cotton from third. Conner Aplin drove in Paul Cupstid for an RBI and a Rebel 5-1 lead.

Aplin, an eighth grader was given the ball and headed to the mound for the fifth inning. With two outs and one strikeout to his credit he pitched himself out of a jam with runners on first and second.  The Mustangs caught up to Aplin in the sixth but once again he got the Rebels out of the inning, this time with some good defense in the field.

They get to go to the top of the seventh still with the lead 5-4.

Tripp Cotton came out for the seventh inning to take the mound and save the game. The Rebels made a nice double play, with a ground ball to first and then over to second to turn the double.

Cotton then struck out the last batter for River Oaks to end the game. Rebels get the win 5-4.

“You like to see your kids pitch and compete in a close game,” coach Matthew Freeman said after the game “anytime you win a one run game it’s fun.”

Winning pitcher for ACCS was Andrew Merriett.

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