Watts, Marks combine for two-hitter in Natchez Blue win

Published 12:00 am Tuesday, June 20, 2000

Natchez Blue got a combined two-hitter from Lee Watts and Russ Marks and four doubles on its way to a 13-3 win over East Central Orange Tuesday in Dixie Majors action at Chester Willis Field.

The game was called in the top of the fifth inning due to the 10-run rule.

Watts was the winning pitcher, giving up three runs (one earned) and one hit while striking out one and walking three in 2 1/3 innings.

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Watts also was 1-for-2 with a double and one run batted in.

Marks allowed one hit and struck out five in 1 2/3 innings. He was 1-for-3 with a walk at the plate.

Natchez Blue scored one run in the top of the first inning when Landon Burr singled in Caleb Walker.

East Central Orange then took its only lead of the game by scoring three runs in the bottom of the first.

Two runs scored on errors and the other came when Rod Donald singled and later scored on a wild pitch.

Donald had both of East Central Orange’s hits in the game.

Natchez Blue tied the game in the top of the second when Ty Smith doubled to score Boo Burchfield and Smith scored on an error.

Natchez Blue took the lead for good when it scored four runs in the top of the third inning, led by Watts’s RBI double and Brian Chandler’s RBI single.

With one on and one out in the bottom of the third, Marks came in for Watts.

Watts allowed a single by Donald. Matt Dillon then stole third base and Donald stole second.

But Marks struck out Terrell Williams and Josh Murray to end the threat.

Natchez Blue then scored three runs in the top of the fourth.

Burr went 2-for-3 with two RBIs while Mardis was 2-for-2 with two RBIs. Dustin Perry was 2-for-3 with a double.