NATCHEZ — Cathedral High School appears to be hitting its stride.

After blasting past West Lincoln Saturday, 18-7, the Green Wave followed up with an equally impressive performance Monday as it beat city rival Adams County Christian School 14-0 in five innings in MAIS action.

“We’re starting to swing the bat a little better,” Cathedral coach Craig Beesley said. “We also had 13 (runs) on Friday night, and the last three games we’ve scored (45) runs.”

Cathedral (11-3, 5-1) pounded out 10 hits in the win, and its big explosion came in the second inning when it sent 13 batters to the plate in scoring eight runs to take a 10-0 lead.

“I was a little disappointed in the way we hit it after the second inning,” Beesley said. “It looked like we kind of laid down and didn’t keep the pressure on them.”

Perhaps more impressive than the Green Wave’s bats Monday night was the pitching demonstration by senior Sam Parker.

The lanky right-hander was sharp for most of the night, striking out nine batters and only allowing two base runners to reach safely past the first inning.

“I came off a little cold in the first inning,” Parker said. “But once I saw my guys get rolling with the bats, I felt more confident, got on the mound and did my thing.”

Adams County Christian School yielded two runs in the first, but had an opportunity in the bottom half to trim the deficit when it loaded the bases with nobody out. Parker, however, managed to wiggle his way out of the jam unscathed, punctuated by an inning-ending strikeout.

“You have to come away with something,” ACCS coach Matthew Freeman said. “Hindsight is 20-20, and we could have bunt, played small ball, but I had a good hitter up, and I liked to see us put the ball hard in play there.”

ACCS was also challenged by a number of key mistakes, including fielding errors and errant throws.

“When you play a ball club like Cathedral has, you can’t miss ground balls,” Freeman said. “You can’t miss fly balls, you can’t overthrow cut-off men, because they’ll make you pay for it.”

Cathedral was led offensively by catcher Zach Flattman, who reached base four times and drove in three runs.

“He’s our power hitter,” Beesley said. “He doesn’t hit a lot of home runs, but he hits a lot of gap shots for us.”

Aside from its second-run outburst, Cathedral scored two runs in each of the first, third and fifth innings.

“It feels good knowing you have that (production) behind you,” Parker said. “The guys have started to really pick it up, and they’re doing a heck of a job.”

Craig Bradley and Pate Shirley also chipped in with two hits and two runs scored apiece for the Green Wave.

Devin Grey, Brady Bean and Stevan Porter each recorded singles for the Rebels.

ACCS will have a quick turnaround as it travels today to district rival Columbia Academy.

“We just have to put it all together,” Freeman said. “We still haven’t played a perfect game this season. Hopefully, one of these games soon, we can get it all together.”

Cathedral’s next game will also be against Columbia, as it will host the Wildcats Saturday.

“I’m eager,” Beesley said. “I’m ready to play, and the kids are ready to play.”

Added Parker, “I’m excited. I can’t wait. I’ve been waiting for this (game) since the beginning of the year.”