In a game that mirrored the day’s weather conditions, the Cathedral Green Wave weathered the storm of the Natchez Bulldogs. The in-town rivals battled to a 12-5 Cathedral victory.

Cathedral fans could see storm clouds brewing since the Bulldogs were ready to play. The Bulldogs started the game with a flurry of hits that were just out of reach of the Cathedral fielders. Natchez battled Cathedral to a 4-4 score midway through the game.

The sun started coming out for the Green Wave in the fourth inning as they scored a couple or runs to stretch their lead and take command of the game.

Jessica Barrett started the hit parade for Cathedral. Barrett hit a hard grounder to Karaechia Mazique and was able to beat the throw to first base.

Krystal Groom followed with a line shot down the first base line. The ball rolled passed the outfielders. While the Bulldogs defense was busy trying to throw Barrett out at home, Groom kept chugging around the bases and eventually scored on the play.

Once Natchez started to bat, Krystal Groom made sure they would sit down quickly. Groom recorded the first two outs of the inning with a throw to first and a stab of a line drive to short. As fast as lightning, Cathedral shut the thundering Bulldog bats down 1, 2, 3.

Natchez tried to mount a comeback in the fifth. Rosetta Ikard started the rally with a single.

Ikard was tagged out one play later as she overran second base. The Bulldogs would not get any closer for the rest of the game.

Cathedral would add five more runs to make the final tally 12-5.

Three of the runs would come from a home run by Hester Brown.

Carol Savant also hit solo home run for the Green Wave.

&uot;We were slow getting started today,&uot; Lynn Ogden said. &uot;They jumped on us quickly in the first inning. In that situation, you never know if the team will collapse are battle back.&uot;

Ogden had the defense she wanted but the Natchez batters were putting the ball over their heads. &uot;I think we played in the right positions but they just made some good hits,&uot; Ogden said. &uot;We did a good job of staying focused and not getting down when they jumped ahead. I knew the hits would come.&uot;

As Cathedral continues play in the season practice remains good. &uot;We practice hard and we play hard,&uot; Ogden said. &uot;That gets us through games like today.&uot;

Cathedral faces Wesson next Tuesday. Wesson is the only district team the Green Wave has yet to play. So far, the Green Wave has defeated all of their district foes. &uot;We feel real fortunate right now,&uot; Ogden said. &uot;We look forward to playing Wesson.&uot;

As the Cathedral players starting making their way home, the sun begins to shine.