NATCHEZ — After six hours and two games, the Ferriday Dixie Girls All-Star team took first place in the district tournament late Wednesday night in Winnsboro, La.

They had two consecutive games against Winnsboro, 10-6 and 6-5 respectively clinching a spot in the state tournament.

Game 1 started at 6 p.m.Wednesday, and finished the series around midnight.

In game 1 Winnsboro jumped to an early 6-0 lead in the second inning against pitcher Melissa McFarland.

Coach Rut Horn brought pitcher Kristan Olgesby into relieve. She pitched five innings and she didn’t allow a run.

But Olgesby pitched herself in a jam in the final inning loading the bases with no outs.

Horn brought in closer Alyx Atkinson who got out of the jam getting the first three batters out for the save.

Then Ferriday’s bats came alive. They rallied for 10 runs, and the girls out hit Winnsboro 15-6.

Monea Cameron, Whitney Roark and McFarland each had doubles.

“Everyone on the team recorded a hit,” Horn said. “They could have quit, but our pitchers settled down and the hitting came.”

Game 2 proved to be tougher. After nine innings, Ferriday claimed the win 6-5.

Starting pitcher Atkinson threw seven innings allowing five runs. The score was tied 5-5 at the end of regulation.

McFarland relieved Atkinson in the eighth. She held off the Winnsboro All-Stars to earn the win.

The winning run came in the bottom of the ninth on a two-out, bases loaded single by Heather Havard.

The Ferriday All-Stars will have a two-week break before they head to Alexandria, La., for the Dixie Youth State Softball Tournament. The tournament will consist of eight teams.

If Ferriday advances past the state tournament, they will travel to Marianna, Fla. for the Dixie Youth Softball League World Series.

The Ferriday All-Stars dedicated this season to Coach Robert Ogden. He died before the league started this summer.