On Tuesday night, the Brookhaven Americans were one win awayfrom capturing the Dixie Youth Baseball Major League NorthSubdistrict Six Tournament title. The Americans, using theircalling cards, dialed long distance twice and produced another1-run thriller to the tune of a 3-2 win over the Natchez All-Starsat Keystone Field.

The Americans had defeated Natchez 5-4 Monday night, in a10-inning, 2-hour, 35-minute marathon, forcing another game.

The Americans travel to McComb Thursday, meeting the McCombAll-Stars in a best-of-3 series for the Dixie Youth Majors District6 championship. The first pitch is set for 7 p.m. Game 2 will beplayed Friday night at Keystone Field, starting at 7. If a thirdgame is required, the winner of the coin flip following Game 2 willserve as the host.

McComb raced past Pine Hills (Gloster) 10-1 for the SouthSubdistrict crown Tuesday.

Brook Americans 3, Natchez 2

Natchez (2-2) opened tournament play with wins over Wesson andthe Brookhaven Nationals, but failed to get a single win againstthe Brookhaven Americans in 2 attempts.

The Americans (5-1) won 4 straight in the loser’s bracket, withthe final 2 wins coming by a total of 2 runs. They had lost a 9-7decision last Friday to the rival National League.

“These kids of mine battled throughout this tournament,” saidAmerican head coach Ronnie Keene. “I am proud of them for notgiving up.”

Natchez, the designated home team, opened the game with a 1-0lead in the first. Leadoff batter Garrett Smith singled. With 1out, Travon Chapmon and Shilo Atkins issued consecutive singles toload the bases. Givonni Dent’s sacrifice fly to center field scoredSmith.

The Americans claimed their first lead of the game in the top ofthe fourth at 2-1. With 2 outs, Tyler Case singled. Travis Keene,on his first pitch from Brandon Sanders, deposited the ball overthe left field fence for a 2-run homer.

Natchez, under the direction of manager Billy Calcote, garnereda 2-2 deadlock in the bottom half of the fourth. Tyler Morrisonwalked, moved to second and third on passed balls. Morrison laterscored, as he stole home.

In the top of the fifth, Dustin Treadway scored what proved tobe the game winner; placing a 0-1 pitch directly over the centerfield fence for a solo blast.

“Natchez came ready to play us tonight,” said Coach Keene. “Theyhave a good ballclub.”

Also collecting hits for Natchez were Semmes White with asingle, and Daniel Guedon with a double.

Bubba Keene and Dewey Stailey hit doubles for the Americans.

Case authored the win for Brookhaven, allowing 1 run, 5 hits andfanning 3 Natchez batters. Travis Keene tossed the final 3 innings,striking out 7 and allowing 1 run.

Sanders suffered the loss for Natchez. In 5 innings, he allowed3 runs, on 5 hits and 6 strikeouts. Dent threw the final inning,striking out 3 American batters.