NATCHEZ — The Cathedral High School softball team opened last week with an 11-1 victory against rival St. Aloysius High School Tuesday.

After the offensive outburst, the Lady Green Wave were hoping it would carry over into Friday’s game against Bogue Chitto High School. But Cathedral wasn’t able to generate as much offense, falling 4-2 in extra innings.

Cathedral will host Enterprise High School Tuesday before preparing for the first round of the Mississippi High School Activities Association Class 1A playoffs. Lady Green Wave head coach Gary Blackwell said his team is set to play Noxapater High School in the first round later in the week.

Despite the disappointing loss to Bogue Chitto, Blackwell said he’s feeling good about where his girls are heading into the playoffs.

“We just have to keep playing like we’ve played the last three or four ball games,” Blackwell said. “The intensity and effort is definitely where it needs to be, we just have to hit the ball better. We’re leaving too many people on base. But as far as effort, if we keep it up, I’m sure we can make it a good ways (into the postseason).”

Blackwell also said it’s nice having a non-region game against Enterprise Tuesday to help keep his team fresh.

“Playing experience is a lot better than practice experience,” Blackwell said. “Getting a game in before the playoffs definitely helps.”

Cathedral (11-7, 2-4) is tentatively slated to host the Lady Tigers Friday before traveling to Noxapater Saturday. Noxapater is trying to bump the first game up to Thursday, however, due to a conflicting sporting event, Blackwell said.

Vidalia High School

The Lady Vikings’ regular season is over, and now Vidalia turns its attention to Parkview Baptist High School from Baton Rouge. Vidalia secured the No. 22 seed in the Louisiana High School Athletic Association Class 3A playoffs.

The Lady Vikings (17-9-1) will face a team that made it to the state championship game last season, and head coach Gary Parnham Jr. said his girls would have to be up for the challenge.

“They’re 15-14, but they played some really good competition,” he said. “I think they lost their first 10 and won their last 10 of 14, so they’re going to be a good softball team. It’ll be a big challenge for us.”

Having the right mindset is the main key for his team right now as it heads into the playoffs, Parnham said.

“Other than schoolwork, once you step on that bus, you shouldn’t bee thinking about anything but softball,” he said. “In Louisiana, the way we play is one loss and you’re out. You can’t afford to make mistakes and play sloppy.”

Game time between Vidalia and Parkview Baptist is set for 5 p.m. today.