The Brookhaven 13-year-old All-Stars had punched out aneight-run, 15-7 lead over Natchez Monday night with just one outbetween them and a victory in the bottom of the seventh inning. Assome fans left Legion Field, they must have been sure about theeventual outcome.

Wrong!

Natchez still had some life left and took advantage of it in anamazing comeback. In last night’s game at Exchange Club Park, theNatchez All-Stars roared back with nine unanswered runs to pull outan unbelievable come-from-behind 16-15 win over Brookhaven in thesecond night of the Dixie Boys 13s District Four Tournament.

Some hard hits by Natchez between the Brookhaven players, plussome bad mistakes at the end assisted Natchez in their turnaroundvictory. Natchez had lost Saturday to Summit 5-2 and was inmust-win situation.

Brookhaven hosts Summit tonight at 6:30 p.m. and must win tostay alive in the tourney. A Brookhaven win would force a three-waytie with Natchez and Summit for a Wednesday night playoff game anda bye for one team.

“We came back,” said Natchez head coach Danny Weeks followingthe victory. “We didn’t quit. The subs came through for us. We cameback and finished strong. The kids all did what they were supposedto do.”

Brookhaven led Natchez 15-13 with two out and runners on firstand third. The game-winner came on a rip by Natchez second basemanJohn Gridley into the outfield that scored three runs to pull outthe important win.

“We made a few defensive errors,” said Brookhaven coach DuaneAllred. “You have to finish. We have to play seven innings.

“We played hard,” added Allred. “We hit the ball great.”

Brookhaven starting pitcher Zach Watson worked all seven inningswith one out left to end the game when he was replaced by DanielWatson and later Brandt Hood. Zach Watson allowed seven hits,struck out seven batters and walked four in the loss.

The winning pitcher was Steven Ridley with 10 strikeouts and onehit batter in five innings. Eric Perry finished out the final twoinnings with four hits allowed, two strikeouts and four walks.

Daniel Watson powered Brookhaven with a two-run home run and adouble. Tyler Cunningham doubled twice and singled. Zach Watsondoubled and singled. Keith Franklin and Josh Coone doubled. BradleyAllred singled.

Natchez got a double and a single from shortstop Austin Weeks.Patrick McDoungh , Ridley and Perry hit safely.

Following two scoreless innings, Brookhaven went up 4-2 overNatchez in the third inning. In the fifth inning, both squadsscored four runs for an 8-6 lead by Brookhaven. HighlightingBrookhaven’s inning was Daniel Watson’s two-run shot over theleft-center field fence.

In the sixth inning, a 3-1 spree by Brookhaven put them overNatchez, 11-7.

Brookhaven secured four more runs in the top of the seventh forthe 15-7, eight-run advantage, that could have secured the win.

Summit 5, Natchez 2

In Saturday’s game, Corey Dickerson posted the victory witheight strikeouts and six walks. Patrick McDonough was the loserwith seven strikeouts and one walk.

Directing Summit with a home run was Justin Leggett, AlonzoHarris singled twice. Doubling was Corey Dickerson. Laney Sullivan,Jonathan Hodges, Drew Richardson and Scott Mercier singled.

Natchez got a single from McDoungh, Eric Perry, Desmond Smoot,Blayne Floyd and Jeremy Ellis.