NATCHEZ — Trinity Episcopal’s Caleb Gillespie flared a soft single to short right field to lead off the fifth inning of the Saints’ matchup with Adams County Christian School Friday night.

At the time it was just the Saints’ second hit off ACCS starter Jake Brumfield. But a sacrifice bunt and another bloop single advanced Gillespie to third base, and he managed to score on a throwing error by Rebel catcher Christopher Perry to give Trinity a 1-0 lead.

Gillespie’s unearned run proved to be the difference as the 1-0 score held in a pitching battle between Brumfield and Trinity’s Jake Winston.

“We knew going in it was going to be the pitchers’ duel of the year,” ACCS head coach Hunter McKeivier said. “Two great pitchers dueled, and it turned out that Trinity happened to get a run. If we had gotten one run, we might still be playing.”

Winston gave up just two singles on the night, both to ACCS first baseman Brandon Ross. The Trinity ace went all seven innings, striking out 12 and walking one.

“(Winston) was absolutely superb,” Trinity coach Mitch Ashmore said. “He is a guy we depend on. We are such a better ball club when he pitches.”

Brumfield was equally impressive. He also went all seven innings and stuck out 10 Trinity batters. He gave up six hits and one unearned run in the loss.

Trinity got half of its hits in the fifth inning. After Gillespie’s single, Trey Fleming hit the bloop single to advance Gillespie to third. Two batters later, Daniel Dunaway singled up the middle and nearly scored Fleming to give Trinity a 2-0 lead. But, ACCS centerfielder Tyler Buckles threw Fleming out at the plate.

ACCS had its best scoring chance in the bottom of the fifth when Ross singled with one out. He advanced to second on a wild pitch, but Winston was able to get the next two batters out to strand Ross at second.

Winston finished off the win by striking out five of the six batters he faced in the last two innings.

The win pushed Trinity to 5-5 on the season and 2-1 in MAIS District 5-AA.

ACCS dropped to 3-2 in the district and 14-5-1 overall.

Trinity will face Amite School Center at 2 p.m. today before the Rebels visit Trinity Monday to finish a game that was postponed in the second inning Tuesday.