HATTIESBURG — The Natchez All-Stars might have been the most talented team at the Dixie Youth 9-year-old State Tournament, but they won’t get a chance to prove that they are the best.

Natchez was eliminated from the tournament with a 5-1 loss to Canton Sunday afternoon.

Earlier in the day, Natchez defeated Copiah 13-3 in five innings in the round robin tournament.

Natchez wound up with a 1-2 record in the tournament.

Both games were supposed to be played Saturday, but were postponed due to rain.

Natchez coach Gary Farmer said he feels his team was the best team at the tournament, but an upset loss to Cleveland on Friday night spoiled their chance for a state championship.

“I still feel like the best team’s coming home and that’s Natchez,” Farmer said. “The loss on Friday ended up being the backbreaker. We had a better team than Cleveland, but weren’t prepared. The blame goes on the coaches. We overlooked them and they snuck up on us. That ended up putting us out of the championship game.”

Natchez seemed to put that loss behind them on Sunday morning, as they pounded out 15 hits and run-ruled Copiah, the fifth time they have beaten them in All-Star play.

Natchez scored six runs in the third inning to break open a tie game and never looked back, winning the game in five innings.

“They came out fired up against Copiah and really hit the ball well and played a flawless defensive game,” Farmer said. “We really put runs on the board. They really wanted it.”

However, the hot hitting would not last until the afternoon.

The team could only muster one hit — a bunt single by Christian Day — in a season-ending loss to Canton.

“We just hit the ball right at them,” Farmer said. “It was kind of like it wasn’t our day, it was Canton’s day. They have a great club but I promise you they’re no better than Natchez.”

Natchez also had defensive breakdowns that cost them four unearned runs in the top of the third inning.

“The score should have been 1-1,” Farmer said. “We had three errors in the inning they scored the four runs. It’s unusual and unlike us to make errors on defense, but you’ve got to remember they’re just 9 years old.”

Despite the loss, Farmer was proud of the way his team competed, going undefeated through tournament play until state.

“I told them I’m proud of them one through 12,” Farmer said. “I’m grateful to the parents and players for their dedication to the team and thankful for Natchez’s support.”

Thanks to the odd round robin format, Copiah and Canton will play for the state championship tonight.

Both teams came through round robin play with a 2-1 record.

Copiah will play for the state championship despite having lost five times to Natchez in All-Star play, including two games where they were mercy ruled.