Natchez overpowers Brook 6-3 in Dixie Boys 13s

Published 5:00 am Tuesday, July 10, 2001

SUMMIT -The Brookhaven All-Stars needed an outstandingperformance on offense and defense against the powerful NatchezAll-Stars Monday night in the Dixie Boys 13s District Tournament.Instead they committed five errors and were limited to five hits bypitcher Timmy Foster as Natchez cruised to a 6-3 triumph at WindsorGay Youth Sports Complex.

The double-elimination tournament continues tonight. Brookhavenplays Summit at 6:30 in an elimination game. Unbeaten Natchezawaits the winner at 6 p.m. Wednesday. Summit eliminated CopiahCounty 7-0 last night.

Natchez, a stronger and taller team, featured nine players fromlast year’s Dixie Youth Major League State Tournament championshipsquad. Foster, a strong right-hander, towered above most ofBrookhaven’s batters. He scattered 5 singles in the 7-inning game,striking out 8 batters and walking 4.

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“I was disappointed,” said Brookhaven manager Scott Warren. “Ihad told them not to be intimidated by Natchez. The errors reallyhurt us.”

Brookhaven is faced with the challenge of beating Summit tonightand then Natchez twice Wednesday night to win the district title.”We have to win three,” said Warren. “That’s a toughsituation.”

Natchez capitalized on a pair of first-inning errors to score 3runs. An RBI double over the third base bag by Natchez leftfielderMichael Chatman gave his team a 3-0 lead.

In the fifth, Natchez expanded a 3-1 lead with a 3-runexplosion, capitalizing on 4 hits and 3 outfield errors. Chatmansliced a triple down the right field line, making it 6-1. One oftwo black players in the Natchez lineup, Chatman finished with 2doubles and a triple.

Shane Lynch was the losing pitcher. He gave up 8 hits and 2earned runs. He fanned 4 batters and walked 3.

Foster limited Brookhaven to just 1 hit and 1 run until thesixth inning. A pair of wild pitches and a passed ball allowedMason Warren to race home with his team’s first run in the fifth.Warren had received a base on balls.

In the sixth, Brookhaven second baseman Casey Britt reached onan error. His first-inning single was the only hit off Foster untilthe sixth.

Brookhaven’s 2-run uprising saw Patrick Holcomb drop in a singlebehind first base and Lynch punch a single to right field, scoringBritt. Foster stabbed a line drive off the bat of Chance Peets anddoubled up the runner at third for the second out. Brandt Hintonsingled to load the bases and pinch hitter Dusty Smith drew abases-loaded walk, scoring another run. Brent Fielder was out on acalled third strike to end the comeback.

Brookhaven left 2 runners on base in the top of the seventh andstranded a total of 7 . Foster fanned Lynch and Peets to end thegame after giving up a single to Tyler Williford and a walk toBritt.

NATCHEZ 6, BROOKHAVEN 3

Brookhaven

000

021

0 –

3

5

5

Natchez

300

030

x –

6

8

2

Lynch and Peets. Foster and Wright. W-Foster. L-Lynch. 3B:Chatman (N). 2B: Chatman (N) 2, Multiple hits: Chatman (N) 3,Foster (N) 2,