The Lincoln County 11-year-old Americans fought hard but fell short at the end as the McComb Nationals All-Stars won 6-5 in six innings of action Monday in the Dixie Youth Baseball District Six Major League Tournament at Keystone Park.

The McComb Nationals will battle the McComb Americans for the district championship today, starting at 7 p.m. at Keystone Park. Games two and three, if needed will be played Wednesday, starting at 6 p.m.

“This was a tough lost,” said Lincoln County coach Bob Watson. “Overall, I was very pleased with the boys effort. They played hard and battled against two good teams. Hopefully, we can get another shot at them next year.”

McComb NL 6, Lincoln AL 5 

After a long weekend break, the Americans came out strong and got their offense slicking in the second inning as they grabbed a 3-1 lead.

The McComb Nationals fought back in the bottom of the second inning and tied the game at 3-all.

In the top of the third inning, the Lincoln County Americans reclaimed the lead at 4-3, but McComb refused to go down quietly as they stormed back to take a 5-4 lead in the bottom of the third inning.

After a defensive see-saw battle in the fourth inning, the Lincoln Americans rallied in the top of the fifth inning to tie the game at 5-all, but failed to push more runs across as McComb’s defense ended Lincoln’s threat.

Lincoln County’s defense stood strong in the bottom of the fifth inning and kept McComb from scoring. The McComb Nationals returned the favor in the top of the sixth inning to keep the score close.

In the bottom of the sixth, McComb managed to end Lincoln County’s chance of staying alive in the tournament. McComb’s Canden Grantham ripped a triple to start the inning. With one out, Reid Smith hit a game-winning single to send home Grantham for the victory.

Josh Henderson pitched the win for McComb with three strikeouts and no walks. Pooman Feldr (3K, 1BB) started for the McComb Nationals.

Dylan Carter suffered the setback for the Americans with one strikeout and one walk. Wyatt Hodges (3K, 2BB) started for Lincoln County.

Cade Watson was the offensive leader for the Americans with a double and a single. Hitting safely were Ty Webb and Hodges.

Reid Smith was the top slugger for McComb’s offense with two singles. Andrew Durr and Pooman Felder provided a double apiece. Grantham had a triple. J.P. Johnson, Kody Jenkins and Josh Henderson hit safely.