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NATCHEZ — Natchez High School played host to both Port Gibson High School and Crystal Springs High School for junior varsity and varsity games last Saturday afternoon at Chester Willis Field.

In what was essentially a final tune-up for the varsity Bulldogs as they venture into the MHSAA Region 5-5A portion of their schedule this week, they shut out the Port Gibson Blue Waves 7-0 and then used a nine-run fourth inning to pull away for a 17-6 win over the Crystal Springs Tigers in five innings.

“We played pretty good overall. We didn’t have many errors,” Natchez High head coach Dan Smith said. “That’s the good thing about those two games. We had a few walks. The first game, we had a few mental errors. But we threw strikes and played good defense.”

When Smith realized that the Bulldogs did not commit a single error in either of the varsity games, he said, “That’s the first thing I look at, is how many errors we have.”

The first game pitted Natchez High and longtime rival Port Gibson. And the Bulldogs got off to a strong start, scoring four runs in the bottom of the first inning and adding three more runs in the bottom of the third inning.

Jwun Mackey had a home run for his only base hit in four at-bats. He had three runs batted in and scored one run. Winning pitcher Rodrick Simpson pitched four innings of shutout ball, struck out seven and walked two. He also went 3-for-3 at the plate. Jaylin Davis came on in relief of Simpson and in two and thirds-innings struck out five batters and gave up just one hit and he had a double at the plate.

“Jaylin Davis came through big. He’s been in a slump lately. He hit the ball well Saturday,” Smith said. “He pitched well, too. He came in and closed (both) games.”

Jessie Grayson and Koren Harris each went 2-for-3 with a double and one run scored while Kameron Carter was 2-for-3 with one RBI and one run scored.

Despite having 13 total base hits, Natchez High left nine runners on base. And that was the one thing Smith was disappointed with.

“We hit the ball pretty well. That’s what we worked on in practice,” Smith said. “I was a little disappointed on that aspect (nine runners left on base). We left the bases loaded a couple of times. We left runners in scoring position. Not upset, but kind of a little irritated. With bases loaded and no outs, we have to get runners across. Whether it be a walk or a bunt.”

Ronnie Mackey was charged with the loss on the mound for the Blue Waves after giving seven runs, all of them earned, on 11 hits with six strikeouts and three walks. He also went 1-for-3 with a double.

The second game saw Natchez High take on Crystal Springs. And, surprisingly, it turned out to be a good game for three and a half innings.

The Bulldogs jumped out to a 6-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning. It stayed that way until the Tigers responded with a five-run rally in the top of the third inning to trail by just one run.

“In the first inning, our bats were still hot from the Port Gibson game,” Smith said. “In the third inning, they scored five runs. We had a couple of walks, but they put the bat on the ball. I told my kids they have to score to win.”

And Natchez High did just that. The Bulldogs scored two runs in the bottom of the third inning to take an 8-5 lead. After the Tigers plated one run in the top of the fourth, the Bulldogs answered with a nine-run barrage in the bottom of the fourth.

“In the bottom of the fourth, my 3, 4 and 5 hitters (Mackey, Mason Bouldin and Simpson) had some big hits. We got runners on and got the runs in this time,” Smith said. “Mason, an eighth-grader, had an RBI that inning. We have some eighth-graders on our team. The more they play, the better they’re going to get.”

Davis went 3-for-3 with two doubles, two RBIs and three runs scored while on the mound he pitched one inning of relief with two strikeouts. 

Mackey was the winning pitcher despite allowing six earned runs on eight hits and four walks in four innings. He also struck out six batters. At the plate, Mackey was 3-for-4 with a double, four RBIs and three runs scored. Davis and Mackey led the Bulldogs’ 18-hit outburst.

Cameron Craft was 2-for-3 with a double and two runs scored, Jessie Grayson went 2-for-3 with a double, one RBI and two runs scored, Koren Harris was 2-for-3 with a triple, three RBIs and two runs scored, and Jaylin Neal was 2-for-3 with one RBI and one run scored. 

Natchez High (4-3-1) is scheduled to play at Florence High School in its Region 5-5A opener on Tuesday with the JV game at 5 p.m. and the varsity game at 7 p.m. However, the forecast of severe thunderstorms throughout the state on Tuesday afternoon and evening will likely force that game to be pushed forward a day.

“I talked to their coach on Sunday and it looks like it will probably be moved to Wednesday,” Smith said. 

If the games are indeed rescheduled, they will still take place at the same times as they would have on Tuesday.