photo by Hannah Reel

Natchez’s Brody Cole forces McComb’s Sanders Ott out at second during the Dixie Youth 11-year-old District 6 game at Duncan Park.

Natchez 11s fall in first game of district series

By Jeff Edwards (Contact) | The Natchez Democrat

Published Saturday, July 4, 2009

NATCHEZ — The Natchez Dixie Youth 11-year-old All-Stars were equal to defending Dixie Youth World Series champions McComb for five innings.

Unfortunately, the sixth inning is where McComb separated itself.

McComb scored three runs in the top of the sixth inning to break open a 1-1 tie and take a 4-1 victory in Game 1 of the Dixie Youth District 6 Championship Series.

“I feel like we were so close to beating them,” Natchez coach Jeff Webb said. “If we could ever get a lead on them, I feel like we could keep it.”

The game was a pitchers dual for the first five inning, with McComb pitcher Steven Ginn and Natchez hurler Landon Seyfarth matching each other pitch for pitch.

The game was scoreless until the top of the fifth inning when Sanders Ott hit a solo home run to give McComb a 1-0 lead.

The lead wouldn’t last long, however, as Luke Thomas tied the game in the bottom of the sixth with a solo shot over the centerfield fence.

However, McComb came back once again in the top of the sixth inning with three runs.

Quartez Brown drove in the first run with a sacrifice fly to right field.

The second run of the inning scored on a Natchez error and Cole Smith drove in the inning’s third run with a single to left field.

Natchez got a couple of base runners in the bottom of the sixth, but Ginn struck out the final batter to preserve the victory for McComb.

Ginn was masterful throughout, allowing just three hits in his complete-game victory.

“Their pitcher kept us off-balance all night,” Webb said. “They just hit the ball better than we did in the last inning.”

Despite the loss, Webb was very impressed with the way Seyfarth pitched.

“Landon had an excellent game,” Webb said. “He had two good outings in the sub-district tournament, and had another tonight.”

But in the end, McComb was just too strong.

“They throw strikes and play great defense,” Webb said. “You really have to beat McComb, because they are not going to beat themselves.”

Game 2 of the series is Monday night in McComb. If Natchez wins that game, a deciding Game 3 will follow immediately afterwards.

“We’ll go over there on Monday with the attitude of nothing to lose,” Webb said. “We’ll be loose and ready to go.”

Both teams are assured of a berth in the South State Tournament, and the district series is strictly for seeding purposes in south state.