CHOCOWINITY — Southside got the jump on Tarboro with a pair of runs in each of the first two innings. The hot start to the game extended the Lady Seahawks’ hot start to the season. A 7-3 win improves them to 3-0 and gives them a 1-0 start in the 1-A Coastal Plains Conference.

It’s been the Lady Seahawk seniors driving an offense that has 33 runs through three games. Danielle Ruffin was 2-for-3 with a pair of RBI Wednesday. Symone Ruffin also had two hits and scored thrice. Hannah Paramore scored two times.

“Danielle has been hitting the ball well,” first-year coach Kam Rouse said. Ruffin missed most of this past basketball season with an injury, but has come back strong on the diamond.

“When I first came out with her, I was a little nervous. I didn’t think she was coming because she was hurt. I told her to come out and, if she isn’t good, we can rest her and play her at first base. She came on, and from day one, she wanted to be in centerfield.”

Sophomore Morgan Dixon chipped in with multiple hits, too. Four others had a hit. The key has been aggression at the plate and on the base paths. Ruffin had six of Southside’s 11 stolen bases.

“Hannah Paramore, when she gets on base, she’s been stealing. Then Symone, when those two get on, they just make unbelievable plays,” Rouse said.

Rouse said the Lady Seahawks still have areas that need improving. Junior Alyssa McLawhorn pitched to contact as she gave up seven hits to the Vikings, but the defense behind her had four errors on the day. All three of Tarboro’s runs were unearned.

“We’ve still got a little work to do, but overall, a win is a win,” Rouse said. “The girls came out a little slow, but finished strong.”

Southside puts its undefeated start on the line at Pamlico County on Friday.