NATCHEZ — Silliman Institute entered its matchup against Adams County Christian School as one of the top softball teams in the Mississippi Association of Independent Schools.

The (21-4) Lady Wildcats lived up to the hype, beating ACCS 9-0 Monday evening.

In the process, Silliman limited ACCS to one hit and racked up 13 of their of its own. ACCS head coach Rick Fife addressed his team with concern after the game, demanding more from his team, as he told them, “It would be different if you weren’t capable.”

“I felt like we came out a little flat,” Fife said. “I didn’t think we got up for Silliman, and we have to do that against a team that strong. I don’t think it was an effort thing, but it was a lackadaisical type deal, pretty much sleepwalking.”

Silliman hit home runs, triples and many balls to the fence in a one-sided victory Monday, but Fife quickly turned his attention to the game that will follow tonight.

In the Lady Rebels final district matchup (a road contest against Simpson tonight), ACCS will need to win to hold onto a hope of finishing third in district and avoid playing Silliman again to open the playoffs.

“This is our season one way or the other, or it could be,” Fife said. “The way I understand it, if we were to beat Simpson (tonight), we’re fighting for third or fourth place with Cathedral, unless Cathedral sweeps Columbia. Cathedral has a lot of games left, and there are a lot of other district games, so we could swap places. We don’t want to open against Silliman in the first round of South State.”

The (12-13) Lady Rebels have a district record of 3-4, while Cathedral has a district record of 2-2.

Ashleigh Williams recorded the only hit of the night for ACCS, while Brianna Henson suffered the loss inside the circle.

As ACCS travels to take on Simpson tonight, Fife is confident his team will bounce back strong.

“I know these kids can do it, they just have to focus a little bit better,” Fife said.