SULFUR, La. – The Mississippi 13-year-old All-Stars from Natchez scored eight runs in the fifth inning en route to a 12-2 win over the Texas All-Stars Sunday night in a winner’s bracket game in the Dixie Boys World Series.

Mississippi, which 10-run ruled its second straight opponent, will play South Carolina at 8 p.m. today.

Benji Maher was the winning pitcher for Mississippi as he struck out seven batters and went 3-for-4 with two doubles and four runs batted in.

&uot;I felt pretty good on the mound. I hit my spots. My curveball was working,&uot; Maher said.

Corey Walker had a lead-off walk to start the top of the third inning, followed by a one-out single by Cole Bradford. Chris Seeger then doubled to bring in Walker. Timmy Foster hit a bunt single to score Bradford. Maher then hit a 2-run double to give Mississippi a 4-0 lead.

&uot;They had a curveball pitcher (Zach Krubbe) to start,&uot; coach Timmy Foster said. &uot;Then they came in with a fastball pitcher, Kory Cleveland. When he came in we kept hitting.&uot;

Texas scored its first run of the game in the bottom of the fourth inning on a wild pitch. Mississippi then broke the game open with its big scoring barrage in the top of the fifth inning. Seeger led things off with a double. After Foster walked, Maher hit his second double to bring home Seeger.

Micheal Chatman struck out, but advanced to first when Kruby dropped strike three. Foster scored on the play.

David Alton New III then singled score Maher and Chatman scored on an error. New reached second on the error.

After a 10-minute rain delay, C.J. Wright reached first on a fielder’s choice, Walker walked, and Floyd singled to load the bases. Wright then scored on a wild pitch and Bradford walked to once again load the bases.

Mississippi then made it 12-1 as Walker scored when Seeger was hit by a pitch, Floyd scored on a bases-loaded walk to Foster and Maher singled to score Bradford.

&uot;We were very patient tonight,&uot; coach Foster said. &uot;They were waiting for their pitch.&uot;

Texas tried to stay alive with an RBI sacrifice fly by Tyler Russell in the bottom of the fifth, but it was not enough.