Natchez High School surrendered five runs in the top of the first inning and were never able to recover as it fell to Wesson in four innings, 15-2, in girls softball action Friday night.

“My magic word is ‘focus,’ and I think the score would have been a little closer, but that first inning got us,” NHS coach Bonita Hamilton said. “We had some crucial errors, routine outs. We have got to stay focused.”

The Lady Bulldogs, however, responded with a pair of runs in the bottom of the first, highlighted by a run-scoring single from senior center fielder Kateria Noble. Pinch runner Danasia Caston also scored on the play after a misplay in the outfield by Wesson.

Wesson, which has recorded eight shutouts on the year, added four runs in the second, five runs in the third and a solo run in the fourth.

Despite its struggles defensively early on, Natchez rebounded in the later innings, producing four highlight reel plays. Noble, Destiny Green and Asya Terrell each made sprinting catches in the outfield. Additionally, Destiny Trask snared a line drive from her shortstop post and was able to double off a Wesson player at second, who had stranded too far away from the bag.

“I know they can do it,” Hamilton said. “There’s a lot of distractions going on right now — prom, ACT testing — I know every one of those girls has the chance to be a good softball player.”

Green’s catch was even more impressive after she made a switch from second base to the outfield midway through the game.

“She lost focused in the infield, but I didn’t take her out,” Hamilton said. “I tried her in the outfield, and she delivered. Then she came back and gave us some good at-bats.”

Destiny Lyles reached base safely twice for Natchez and stole a base following a base hit in the third. Trask laced a triple to right field in the same inning, but was thrown out attempting score on the play. Asia Pollard recorded the Lady Bulldogs’ final hit with a sharp single in the fourth.

Natchez will attempt to get back on the winning track today when it travels to Vicksburg for a tournament. The Lady Bulldogs are slated to play three games, beginning at 9 a.m. against Vicksburg. Natchez then plays Riverside and Terry later in the day.

“We already played Tuesday, Thursday and today,” Hamilton said. “The more you play, the better you’re going to get. The main thing is we are making progress, and we are continuing to get stronger and stronger. We are getting there.”