NATCHEZ — Natchez 9-year-old All-Star coach Gary Farmer knew that Copiah was better than the 16-1 beatdown Natchez put on them Monday night in Game 1 of the District 6 Championship Series, and he was right.

Natchez had their hands full with Copiah all night long Tuesday before finally hanging on for an 8-7 win in the series-deciding Game 2 at Carrol-Jones Field in Duncan Park.

“I told them that Copiah was a great team and the score of the first game didn’t reflect that,” Farmer said. “I told them to be prepared for a battle and we got a battle.”

Natchez led 8-3 before Copiah scored four runs in the top of the fifth inning. Copiah got RBI singles from Connor Chapin and Noah Chapa and a sacrifice fly from Bryce Chapman to score three of their runs with the fourth run scoring on a Natchez error.

After Natchez went down in order in the bottom of the sixth, it looked like Copiah had all the momentum and would use it to either tie the game or take the lead in the top of the sixth.

However, Natchez relief pitcher Gabe Smith pitched around an error and easily retired the side to save the victory and the district 6 championship.

“(Copiah) had the momentum but Gabe came in and threw strikes and the defense backed him up,” Farmer said. “I’m real proud of them.”

Natchez wasted no time getting on the scoreboard, as they put up four runs in the bottom of the first.

Jacob Jenkins, Dalvion Jackson and Brock Farmer had RBI singles for Natchez in the top of the first while Jackson took home on a double steal attempt.

Copiah cut into the lead with two runs in the top of the second thanks to RBI singles by Chapin and Landon Murphy but Natchez extended the lead back to four runs in the third when Gage Dossett hit a two-run double down the third base line.

Copiah scored a run in the top of the fourth but Natchez answered with two in the bottom of the inning. An RBI single by Smith and a bases-loaded walk by Jace Calcote gave Natchez an 8-3 lead, setting the stage for the final Copiah surge.

Both Natchez and Copiah advance to the state tournament, but Natchez will be the No. 1 seed from district 6. The tournament begins on July 11 in Hattiesburg.