HATTIESBURG — The Natchez 9-year-old Dixie Youth All-Stars looked like they were finding the form that had carried them through an undefeated run to the Dixie Youth State Tournament.

They had their swagger back and looked to have Copiah right where they wanted them.

Then the heavens opened up.

Natchez’s 1 p.m. game against Copiah was washed out with Natchez leading 2-0 and no outs in the bottom of the first inning.

Their 6 p.m. game against Canton was also rained out. Both games will be played today.

“(The rain) was something I really didn’t want to see,” Natchez coach Gary Farmer said. “We were fired up. You could tell Copiah was getting down — like here we go again.”

After shutting down Copiah in order in the top of the first, Natchez wasted no time getting on the scoreboard in the bottom of the inning.

Craig Bradley walked and scored on a triple by Gage Dossett. Dossett then scored on a wild pitch.

Dalvion Jackson was at the plate for Natchez when the rain came and play was halted.

The washout makes for a very long day for Natchez today.

The game with Copiah will restart at 9 a.m. and the game against Canton will begin at 1 p.m.

“We’ve got to get up early,” Farmer said. “Natchez has never done well early. We got (the players) to bed early tonight. We’re in for a long day if we keep winning.”

That’s because there is a possibility that Natchez will play three games today.

In the only game completed Saturday, Canton defeated Cleveland — the team that defeated Natchez Friday — 8-7. That means Cleveland and Canton both have 1-1 records with one game to play.

Copiah has a 1-0 record and Natchez has an 0-1 record.

If Natchez defeats both Copiah and Canton tomorrow, they would be in the championship game against either Copiah or Cleveland.

Coaches for all teams involved would have to agree to play the championship on Sunday, but Farmer said the tournament officials are leaning toward beginning that game at 7 p.m.