GALLMAN – The Lincoln County Nationals and Americans 9-and-10-year-old All-Stars began their march toward the State Tournament Friday night at the Copiah Academy softball field.

The Lincoln County Americans suffered a heart-breaking loss in their opening game, falling to the Natchez All-Stars 13-3. But in the second game of the night, the Lincoln County Nationals came out on fire as they crushed the Franklin County All-Stars 15-2 in opening day play of the Dixie Youth AAA District Six tournament.

Tournament action continued Saturday with a pair of games. Natchez took on the Copiah All-Stars at 6 p.m. and the Lincoln Americans battled the Franklin County All-Stars at 8 p.m. The results of these contests were unavailable at press time.

The Dixie Youth AAA action continues Monday as the Lincoln Nationals will battle the winner of the Natchez/Copiah contest at 8 p.m. The winner of the Lincoln Americans/Franklin County game will tangle with the loser of the Natchez/Copiah contest at 6 p.m.

This tournament will conclude Thursday with the championship game at 6 p.m.

Natchez 13, Lincoln Co. AL 3 

The Natchez All-Stars and the Lincoln Americans provided an exciting ball game for their fans as the Americans managed to hold onto a slim 3-2 lead after two innings of action.

In the third and fourth innings, the Natchez All-Stars outscored Lincoln County 11-0 to secure a 13-3 victory.

Ronnie McMillian pitched the win for Natchez with five strikeouts and three walks. Landon Lees (2K, 1BB) also saw some action in relief.

Trenton Tarver suffered the setback for the Americans with four strikeouts and six walks. Pike Wallace (3K, 3BB) pitched the finals two innings in relief.

McMillian provided the offensive power to lead Natchez at the plate with a triple and two singles. Zehlin Cornett continued the surge with a triple and a single. London Lees had a double and a single. Paxton Junkin and Colin Cauthen ripped a triple each. Hitting safely were Zeke Flattmann and Mason Wells.

The Americans were led at the plate with a single each from Chase White, Jake Meilstrup, Trenton Tarver and Lawson Chemin.

Lincoln Co. NL 15, Franklin Co. 2 

The Lincoln Nationals quickly set the tone of the game early as they claimed a 1-0 in the first inning and exploded in the second inning with a six-run blast to take a commanding 7-0 over Franklin County.

The Franklin All-Stars managed to finally get their offense going in the bottom of the second inning, but Lincoln County quickly closed the door on their rally, only allowing one run.

The Nationals outscored Franklin 8-1 in the final three innings of action to claimed the win to secure a bye until Monday’s contest.

Brady Ratcliff collects the win for the Nationals on the mound with five strikeouts and two walks. Felder Sartin (1K, 1BB) saw some action on the mound as a relief pitcher.

Aden Smith absorbed the setback as the starting pitcher for Franklin County with four strikeouts and seven walks. Cole Kinnard (1K, 3BB) also pitched for Franklin County in relief

Dawson Hester and Jacob Carter were the offensive leaders at the plate for the Nationals with a double and a single each. Brandon Welch contributed two singles. Will Loy, Brady Ratcliff and Conner Hall hit safely.

Bryce Wilkinson led the Franklin County All-Stars on offense with a triple. John Brantley hit a single.