NATCHEZ — The Natchez High Bulldogs had a tough time producing any offense in dropping a varsity doubleheader to the Columbia High Wildcats 18-1 in four innings and 13-0 in five innings Saturday afternoon at Chester Willis Field.

In the first game, Logan McDowell gave up just one hit – a double by TyAnfernea Beverly in the bottom of the second inning, who later scored on a sacrifice fly for Natchez High’s only run of the game.

Before that happened, Columbia put the game out of reach with eight runs in the top of the second that gave the Wildcats a commanding 9-0 lead. McDowell also went 3-for-3 with a triple.

The second game was not much better as the Bulldogs had three hits, but could not must up any runs against the Wildcats. Columbia, on the other hand, got things going with three runs each in the top of the first and second innings. They added five more runs in the top of the fourth and two in the top of the fifth.

Bryson Meadows went 2-for-3 with a home run and Chris Pittman was 2-for-3 with a triple for Columbia, which pounded out 13 hits in Game 1 and 11 hits in Game 2.

Jarell Morris took the loss for the Bulldogs in the first game and Chris Scott suffered the loss in the second game.

Natchez High (5-9) next plays at Wingfield at 7 p.m. Tuesday in an important MHSAA Division 6-5A game for both teams.

Cathedral steamrolls Porter’s Chapel

VICKSBURG — In what was basically a tune-up game for its important series with St. Aloysius, the Cathedral Green Wave was not caught looking ahead as it took care of business in a 17-3 win over the Porter’s Chapel Academy Eagles in six innings Saturday afternoon.

Gabe Smith pitched a complete game and allowed two earned runs on five hits with eight strikeout and just one walk. The defense behind him was just as solid with only one error.

“He had another good outing. That’s three good outings in a row he’s thrown for us. We hope he continues to do that in our playoff run,” Cathedral head coach Craig Beesley said.

The Green Wave put up three runs in the top of the first inning and added two more runs in the top of the second to take a 5-0 lead over the Eagles. But the home team struck back with three runs of their own in the bottom of the third to make it a two-run game.

However, any thoughts of Porter’s Chapel pulling off the upset quickly came to an end when Cathedral scored six runs in the top of the fourth inning to go up 11-3. The Green Wave put up another six-spot in the top of the sixth.

Every player in the starting line-up for the Green Wave had at least one hit. Andrew Beesley, Craig Bradley and Zach Flattmann each went 2-for-4 with both Bradley and Flattmann collecting a double. Quinton Logan and Pate Shirley each went 2-for-5 with Logan hitting a triple.

Brock Farmer and Reed White each drove in two runs, as did Bradley, Flattmann, Logan and Shirley. As a team, Cathedral amassed 17 total hits and took advantage of four Porter’s Chapel errors.

“We swung the bats well today. We hope that we’re in the right frame of mind for the (St. Aloysius) rivalry that we’re going to have this week,” Beesley said. “It’s always a big series with St. Al, but this one will be even bigger with it being for the (MHSAA Division 7-1A) championship.”

Cathedral (12-2) will next play at St. Aloysius at 7 p.m. Tuesday.

Vidalia 9, Delhi Charter 4

(Fri. night)

VIDALIA — William Handjis hit a key three-run double in the bottom of the fifth inning as the Vidalia Vikings pulled away late for a 9-4 win over the Delhi Charter Gators Friday night.

Vidalia led Delhi Charter 3-1 after three innings of play, but the Gators stunned the home crowd by scoring three runs in the top of the fourth to take a 4-3 lead. The Vikings tied the game in the bottom of the fourth inning.

Then in the bottom of the fifth, Handjis came through with his bases-clearing double as part of a four-run rally to give the Vikings an 8-4 lead. They added one more run in the bottom of the sixth.

Cole Cangemi threw a complete game and gave up four runs on seven hits and three walks to go with six strikeouts. Tyler Sandifer went 3-for-3 and Landon Seyfarth was 2-for-3.

Vidalia (12-4) returns to LHSAA District 3-3A play on Monday at 6 p.m. when the Vikings play at Caldwell Parish.

Vidalia softball wins two in Mangham Tournament

MANGHAM — Taylor Rodgers pitched a total of 12 innings Saturday afternoon to help give Vidalia a 4-3 win against Ouachita Christian and a 5-4 win against Sterlington.

Vidalia racked up six hits and committed one error against Ouachita, while Rodgers pitched seven innings and struck out seven in the win.

Rodgers pitched 5-and-two-thirds innings in the contest against Sterlington before Cassie Gonzales relieved and finished the game for the Lady Vikings.

Gonzales and Katelynn Bertleson each recorded two hits in the win against Sterlington, helping Vidalia improve to 18-4 on the season.

Cathedral drops two in Loyd Star tourney

BROOKHAVEN — Cathedral struggled to produce runs in Loyd Star’s tournament Saturday, falling to Lawrence County 7-2 and 6-0 to Loyd Star.

Grayson Bryant went 2-for-2 in the loss to Lawrence County, while Abby Brown went 2-for-3 in the loss to Loyd Star. The Lady Wave produced six hits in each game.

Elizabeth Smith pitched six innings and gave up four earned runs in the loss to Lawrence County before Marty Lewis gave up six runs to Loyd Star.