The Franklin County Diamond Dawgs improved to 3-0 on the season with a thrilling 8-5 victory over Natchez Cathedral Tuesday night in The Swamp in Bude.

FCHS, coached by Brent Calcote, is off to its best start since the 2009 season.

Tuesday’s game featured MAIS power Cathedral, who won Class 1A last year in the MHSAA. The Green Wave and Bulldogs have become diamond rivals over the last 15 years, despite classification.

Franklin flexed its athletic skills with big hits from Antonio Christmas, Chris Cantrell and Dalivan Hunt. Christmas batted two runs in. He also stole two bases.

For Natchez Cathedral, Andrew Beesley had two hits to lead the Green Wave.

Pate Shirley absorbed the loss for Cathedral, despite striking out five batters.

For the Bulldogs, Cantrell struck out two in 5.1 innings pitched. Jacob McDaniel had two strikeouts in relief.