A popular theme for alot of softball teams this season is tostart their games slowly, then pick up steam in the latter innings.The Enterprise Lady Jackets applied that principle to claim a 9-2Division 7-1A win over the Dexter Lady Bulldogs last night.

Nikki Leggett (5-0) authored the win for Lady Jacket head coachSteve Sasser. She tossed a 4-hitter with 1 strikeout. On offense,Leggett went 2-for-4 with a 2 doubles, 2 RBIs and a run scored.

Dexter shutout Enterprise 9-0 in the preliminary JV game.

Enterprise will host Tylertown on Saturday. The JV game beginsat 12 noon, followed by the varsity game at 1 p.m.

Enterprise 9, Dexter 2

This division contest appeared to be heading for a defensivestruggle. Both teams exhibited outstanding defense throughout the7-inning affair.

“There was some outstanding defense played tonight,” said Sasserfollowing the game.

The Lady Jackets (5-0) drew first blood in their half of thesecond. Nicole Floyd singled. Megan Criswell doubled. Nicole Beardsingled to score Floyd. Two batter later, Brandi Beeson’s singlescores Criswell. Emily Smith reached on an error. Vivian Langsingled to score Beard and Enterprise entertained a 3-0 lead.

The third inning was a family affair for Enterprise. AshleyPalomarez tripled and elder sister Lacey flied out to left, scoringAshley as the Lady Jackets increased their lead to 4-0.

“We usually start out slow,” added Sasser. “We will pick it upin the latter stages of the game.”

Sasser’s comments held true to form, as Enterprise produced 2runs to take a 6-0 advantage in the fifth. Lang singled. Leggettdoubled to score Lang, and moved to third on the throw-in. AshleyPalomarez grounded into a fielder’s choice, scoring Leggett.

Dexter got on the scoreboard in the top of the sixth. CassandraMingo reached on an error. Shena Mark singled and moved to secondon an error. Emily Polk grounded into a fielder’s choice, scoringMingo. Nina Mark grounded out to score Shena Mark. The LadyBulldogs reduced their deficit to 6-2.

The Lady Jackets added 3 insurance runs in the sixth, takingadvantage to 2 Lady Bulldog miscues. Ashley Tate singled. Twobatters later, Smith singled and moved to second on a throwingerror by Dexter. Lang’s single scored Tate and Smith. Leggettdoubled to score Lang.

Enterprise used a 1-2-3 seventh to increase their divisionrecord to 2-0, following Tuesday’s 8-4 win over division foeNatchez Cathedral.

“Us, Bogue Chitto, West Lincoln and Natchez Cathedral will be inthe thick of the division race,” said Sasser. “Dexter has a prettygood ballclub.”

Providing support for the Lady Jackets was Lacey Palomarez with2 singles, and a RBI. Breann Laird singled and doubled. Beardsingled twice, scored a run and had a RBI. Tate had 2 singles. Langscored twice, had 2 singles and 2 RBIs. Ashley Palomarez tripled.Criswell doubled and scored a run.

In the JV game, Dexter delivered the shut out over Enterprise.Collecting singles for the Lady Jackets were Erin Thornhill,Savanah Palomarez and Kaylin Burk. Jana Brister doubled.