HATTIESBURG — The first round of the Dixie Boys state tournament ended up having one of the longest games in some time as the Natchez Dixie Boys 14-year-old All-Stars took on Kosciusko Saturday afternoon.

Finally, after nine innings and over four and a half hours of play in the scorching heat, Kosciusko held on to defeat Natchez 6-4 to advance in the tournament.

Kosciusko scored two runs in the top of the ninth inning and then held Natchez scoreless in the bottom of the ninth to escape with the win.

“A long, hard-fought game,” Natchez head coach D.D. Smith said.

“I think these kids represented Natchez well today,” Natchez coach Paul Fenn said. “They made us coaches proud.”

Christian Creduer and Tance Fenn each had two hits to lead Natchez at the plate.

Natchez will take on the loser of the Yazoo City/Columbia game today at 2 p.m.