NATCHEZ — Adams County Christian School softball seniors stepped onto their home field for the last time Tuesday as they topped Amite School Center 9-2 before heading to South State.

Head coach Forrest Foster said he told his team they had to put their emotions on hold despite it being the seniors’ final home game.

“The girls did a good job of putting their emotions behind them,” Foster said. “I told them to have fun and enjoy the pregame ceremony, but when it ends, let’s get focused and play.”

The Lady Rebels responded as they came out in the first inning hitting early and often.

Tori Laird went 2-for-3 with two RBIs and three runs, Jordan Petty went 3-for-4 with a double, Lexie Emmanuel went 2-for-3 with an infield homerun and Ashleigh Williams went 3-for-3 with a homerun as well.

The Lady Rebels wasted no time putting on the pressure as their first three batters connected with the ball.

After Laird and Petty got on base, Williams hit a homerun that hit the top of the fence before bouncing back infield, but the officials called it a homerun to give ACCS the early 3-0 lead.

Amite was not able to score through the fourth inning, and the Lady Rebels still had plenty of hitting left.

In the bottom of the second, Laird got a two-run RBI single to bring in Bailey Boyd and Emmanuel. Three batters later, Laird scored on a passed ball to extend their lead to 6-0.

Neither team scored in the third or fourth, but Amite finally got some runs across in the top of the fifth inning when Ashley Netterville scored on a fielder’s choice giving Valorie Dixon an RBI.

Shelby Crawford stepped up to the plate for Amite and singled to bring Loren Taylor home.

Down by four, Amite didn’t allow ACCS to score in the bottom of the fifth inning as they tried to go for a late-game rally.

The Lady Rebels didn’t allow Amite to score in the top of the sixth inning before scoring three more runs in the bottom of the sixth.

The sixth inning was powered by Emmanuel’s hard hit that went over an outfielder’s head and rolled to the fence for an inside-the-park home run that also brought in Madison Taylor.

Laird scored for the third time when Williams hit a sacrifice fly to far right field, making the score 9-2. A scoreless top of the seventh secured the win for ACCS.

Foster said Tuesday’s game had a different atmosphere compared to Monday’s loss to Brookhaven that decided their placement in South State.

“Tonight was a lot less pressure-packed than (Monday),” Forest said. “We made some mistakes, but it’s a part of being young.”

Overall, Foster said he was pleased with the effort his team put forth, and he said it was a confidence-booster before going into State.

“We beat a real good team in Central Hinds Saturday, and that brought a lot of confidence,” he said. “(Monday) turned that confidence away, but we did a good job of getting that confidence back.”

ACCS will meet Simpson Academy in the first round of South State Saturday.