NATCHEZ &045; A late run prevented a blowout from being a shutout, but that was probably small comfort to the Cathedral softball team.

Natchez High notched its second victory over the Lady Wave in six days, beating Cathedral 16-1 Monday.

In what was billed as a rebuilding year for Natchez, the Lady Bulldogs are playing very well early in the season. The win gives Natchez a 2-2 record and drops Cathedral to 0-2 on the young season. NHS head coach Charlie Williams said his goal is to keep getting better as the district season approaches.

&uot;So far, so good, but we have a long way to go. We have to steadily improve, game after game,&uot; Williams said. &uot;We hit a little bit better today, and we’re fielding pretty well.&uot;

The game was a contrast in hitting &045; Natchez did, and Cathedral struggled. The Lady Bulldogs had a season-high 22 hits while Cathedral managed just six.

Compounding the Lady Wave’s troubles was a spate of errors that allowed Natchez to jump out to a 7-0 advantage after the first two innings.

Natchez jumped out to that early 7-0 lead and never looked back, recording a run in every inning except the third. The Lady Bulldogs almost shut out their opponents.

A tag at the plate by catcher Bianca Robinson prevented second baseman Emily Stevens from scoring in the sixth. Finally the Lady Wave’s Jenni Allen scored on a RBI single from Alex Roberts in the bottom of the seventh, ending the shutout bid.

Cathedral head coach Erin Binns has no illusions about what her team needs to work on as the season continues.

&uot;It’s all about offense,&uot; Binns said. &uot;Last game our defense was more stable than it was this game. Defense I’m not really worried about. It’s always been about offense. In slow-pitch softball, they can’t just connect because it’s not going to go anywhere.&uot;

Right fielder Caitlin Huffines was a bright spot for the Lady Wave. Huffines was 2 for 2 and reached base in all three plate appearances.

Lady Bulldog first baseman Tracy Davis had four hits and four RBI in leading her team to victory.

&uot;We’ve been working on defense and hitting,&uot; Davis said. &uot;Just defense and hitting.&uot;

Davis’s teammates got into the act as well, as eight of the 10 starters had at least two hits. Shortstop Chelsea Hall had an RBI triple in the first inning and hit several towering flies that drifted foul down the third base line. Williams said he will work more young players into the lineup and as substitutes as the season continues.

&uot;My biggest thing right now is getting some younger kids some games under their belt. We’re inexperienced this year but we don’t want to be inexperienced next year also,&uot; Williams said.s

Cathedral will be back in action at 7 p.m. Friday at Lawrence County. Natchez will face Bogue Chitto at 5 p.m. Monday.