NATCHEZ — There are pros and cons to being MHSAA Class 5A state champions in basketball, and the Natchez High School Lady Bulldogs softball team has felt the effects of it first hand.

Because of the extended basketball season, which didn’t end until late March, the softball team had no choice but to patiently wait to start its season, mainly because head basketball coach Alphaka Moore is also the head softball coach.

With limited time to practice a sport that involves an unlimited amount of repetition to even be perceived as an average player, and less than 10 games played, the Lady Bulldogs softball team was a little behind the curve.

Natchez High lost its last home game of the season 24-1 to Brookhaven High School Tuesday, and their inexperience and lack of a full season showed greatly.

“Basketball did effect the schedule, and we have a lot of girls that have not played before,” Moore said. “Improvements come with experience, and until they gain it, improvements will flow along with it.”

Jasmine Ivory took the loss for Natchez High, pitching 2.5 innings with one strikeout.

Religh Allen pitched a no-hitter for Brookhaven as the Lady Bulldog’s only run came when JaNaisa Dent was walked in in the bottom of the second inning.

The Lady Bulldogs will play George County High School in the first round of the playoffs Thursday.