HAZLEHURST — Darrick Lewis’ run-scoring single in the top of the fourth inning gave the Natchez 10-year-old All-Stars the lead for good as they defeated Wesson 8-6 Saturday afternoon at the sub-district tournament at Copiah Academy.

Natchez went into the top of the fourth trailing Wesson 6-5 after both teams scored four runs in the third inning. With one out, Wesson pitcher Justin Boone walked Luke Thomas, Nick Webb and Brody Cole to load the bases.

After Edwin Byrne hit into a fielder’s choice to bring in Thomas with the game-tying run, Lewis singled to left field to score Webb and give Natchez a 7-6 lead. Natchez scored one run in the top of the fifth to give the visiting team a little breathing room.

Landon Seyfarth came on in relief of Byrne in the bottom of the third inning and allowed just four hits while striking out two in four innings and was the winning pitcher.

“Landon really bared down the last three innings,” Natchez coach Jeff Webb said. “He pitched really good in the last few innings. We got some good defense as well. Pretty much played small ball.”

Only one of Natchez’s nine hits went for extra bases – a double by Andrew Beesely, who went 2-for-3.

Wesson took a 2-1 lead at the end of the first inning, but it appeared like Natchez was ready to pull away after a four-run rally in the top of the third for a 5-2 lead. But Wesson answered with its four-run rally in the bottom of the third.

“It just went back and forth for a while. We battled them and they battled us,” Natchez coach Terry Moffett said. “Our players seemed to get more relaxed and that’s what it took.”

Just after the game got under way, the weather turned ugly as a heavy downpour forced a delay of nearly two hours.

“We were fighting the weather most of the game,” Webb said. “We had one batter and 1-1 on the second batter and here came a downpour. We ended up finally getting it in and playing ball.”

Natchez will take on Copiah in a winner’s bracket game Monday at 8 p.m. Copiah is the only other undefeated team at sub-district.