Lady Tigers wrap up district with huge win over East St. John

Thelezia Folse/Herald-Guide

Hahnville junior pitcher Hannah Haydel has played well all year for the Lady Tigers and is now 26-3 on the season.

The Hahnville Lady Tigers exploded for 12 hits as they ripped East St. John 15-0 Tuesday.

Hahnville took a 3-0 lead after the first two innings and knocked the Lady Cats out in the third inning by scoring 12 runs.

Taylor Webre, Alexandra Friloux and Abby Boutte each recorded two hits and three RBIs in the victory.

Hahnville finished district with an 8-2 record and is currently tied for first with East Ascension.

The Lady Tigers have been on fire since mid-March and have won 16 of their last 17 games.

The only defeat during that stretch was dealt by St. Amant, who edged Hahnville 3-2 on April 9. The Lady Tigers had previously crushed the Lady Gators 10-2 on March 24.

"I think winning is good, but when you win a bunch in a row you become complacent. We did and it cost us," Hahnville head coach Kenneth Vial said. "I thought we were unfocused for the last few games, but talent will usually overcome that.

"It didn't against St. Amant."

Vial said the Lady Gators wanted the game more than his squad.

"And that's very uncommon for this group of kids."

Since last Tuesday's 5-0 win against Destrehan, Hahnville has played five games in six days. They have gone 4-1 over that stretch, including a huge 2-1 victory over Dutchtown.

The Lady Tigers took the lead in that game on a solo home run by Webre in the fourth inning. But in the fifth, a solo home run by Dutchtown's Jessica Crum tied the game at 1-1.

The score would stay that way throughout regulation, and in extra innings, Courtney Dutreix drew a bases-loaded walk that brought in Webre for the winning run.

Vial said his squad is able to pull out close wins because of their experience.

"This team has been in every situation before and they don't flinch," he said. "They have confidence in themselves and each other and they continue to be good teammates and friends."

In fact, Vial said his team has taught him a few things about the power of positive thinking.

"They always believe they are going to win," he added.

After beating Dutchtown on Thursday, the Lady Tigers slammed Mt. Carmel 9-1 for their 14th straight victory. They lost to St. Amant a day later.

On Monday, the Tigers got back on track by blanking Ursuline 11-0 and powering past East St. John 15-0.

They wrapped up the regular season Wednesday night against Zachary but the game took place after the press deadline.

Hahnville's playoff position will be announced in the April 21 edition of the Herald-Guide.