Natchez Heating and Cooling wasn’t going to let another game slip through its hands Friday night.

After dropping one of it’s final games this past week, NHC claimed second place in Belles/Debs after defeating All-Star Awards in a Natchez-Adams Girls Softball League playoff game, 8-3.

“We had a chance to come in first the other night, and we lost by one run,” NHC coach Rudy Wilson said. “Tonight it was either come in second or drop even further, so I’m proud of them for finishing strong.”

Natchez Heating and Cooling started the game by scoring three runs in the first inning with the help of a two-run triple to left field from first baseman Destiny Lyles.

NHC remained focused, scoring three more runs in the second and two more in the third and final frame.

“It wasn’t the cleanest game, but the biggest difference was that we hit the ball tonight and put it in to play when we needed to,” Wilson said. “We have hit the ball well, and that’s what has bailed us out.”

Rivers Lee led Natchez Heating and Cooling going 2-for-2 and scoring one run in the win. Lyles, Aysa Terrell, Presley Martin, Kyra Day and Shelby Mize all ended with one hit.

Martin earned the win, pitching all three innings.

All-Star Awards scored two runs of its own in the top if the third to cut the deficit to three, but it wasn’t enough.

Each team ended with seven hits.

“They fell a little bit short,” ASA coach Tony Green said. “They were a little off their game, but they never gave up. That’s what I like about them, and I can’t ask for any more than that.”

Diamond Washington, Zanya Lyles, Destinee Green, Carleigh Sproulls, Denaisha Calvin, Breazanae Moore and Deja Hudson each registered one hit for All-Star Awards.

NHC ends its season at 8-3, while ASA ends at 7-4.