NATCHEZ — Coming off of a pivital district win in Columbia Friday night, Cathedral swept its doubleheader against Loyd Star and Enterprise Saturday afternoon.

Cathedral earned a 1-0 win in Game 1 against Loyd Star and a 9-2 win in Game 2 against Enterprise.

“I feel good about the way we’re playing and pitching right now,” coach Craig Beesley said. “We weren’t too into the game (Saturday), but that could be because of a big game (Friday). Hopefully, we’ll get it going again and be ready next week.”

In Game 1, The Green Wave’s (16-3, 7-1) Jardarius Anderson took Zach Flattmann’s spot at catcher, with Flattman serving as the team’s designated hitter.

“I’m helping Zach out. It’s a long season and his knees get tired,” Anderson said.

Beesley said Anderson could potentially split a playoff doubleheader with Flattmann.

“We wanted to make sure (Anderson) had some time back there, just in case he has to catch a game,” Beesley said.

Brock Farmer started for Cathedral, allowing one earned run on two hits with three strikeouts and three walks.

Cathedral scored two runs in the first inning. Andrew Beesley’s leadoff single led to Cathedral’s first run when he scored on a sacrifice fly from Flattmann.

“Being the leadoff, you just have to see pitches and let the team know what (the pitcher’s) throwing,” Andrew Beesley said. “My job is to produce runs.”

Farmer came out after the third inning, and Cathedral pitchers Connor Branton and Reed White combined to strand six Enterprise base runners.

“We’ve been playing good defense the last couple of weeks,” Craig Beesley said. “That’s always going to give you a chance to win.”

Cathedral 1, Loyd Star 0

In Cathedral’s opening game, Gabe Smith did it all for the Green Wave.

Smith tossed four shutout innings, drove in the team’s only run, and threw out the potential tying run attempting to score in the seventh inning to secure a 1-0 win for Cathedral.

“He had a good game,” Craig Beesley said. “He was in the right place at the right time. He threw 44 pitches in four innings, which is great. And then he gets the out at home plate, so he had a big game.”

The right-handed senior started on the mound for Cathedral before moving to first base in the top of the fifth. Smith drove in the Green Wave’s lone run after lining base hit to right field, scoring White.

“It was a big game for me,” Smith said. “I had been struggling at the plate a little bit. I’ve been hitting the ball, but not finding holes. I found a hole (Saturday).”

With two outs in the top of the seventh, Smith hauled in a relay throw from right fielder Jardarius Anderson from his first base post, then twirled and fired a strike to Flattman, who applied the tag for the final out of the game.

“I didn’t know (the Loyd Star coach) sent him there, and when I fielded (the ball), I kind of hesitated,” Smith said. “I had to hurry it home real quick.”

Smith combined with fellow senior Pate Shirley to shutout the Hornets (16-6), limiting them to just two hits while striking out three batters.

“I thought they both pitched well, and we made the plays defensively,” Craig Beesley said. “They were ahead in the count early, and they controlled the strike zone (Saturday).”