April 20, 2005

Hahnville starter strikes out 14, homers in 12-2 win

Flores, Lady Tigers punch out Abramson in first round

By Eric LeBlanc
Sports Editor
(Photo by ERIC LEBLANC)

After a slightly rough first inning, the Hahnville Lady Tigers and starting pitcher Chelsey Flores cruised to an easy 12-2 victory over the Abramson Lady Commodores Monday afternoon in the first round of the state playoffs.

Flores fanned 14 Lady Commodores over the course of six innings and also hit a two-run home run in the first inning. Left fielder Lela Clowers and catcher Meghan Vial were both three for four while Clowers, Flores and shortstop Annie Minnich each scored two runs.

The Lady Tigers were playing at home but were the visitors in the matchup because the teams decided to have the game at Hahnville even though Abramson was the home team.

Hahnville jumped on the Lady Commodores right off the bat as Clowers singled and Flores homered over the left field fence to give the Lady Tigers a 2-0 lead in the middle of the first inning.

In the bottom of the first, the Lady Commodores' speed caused some problems for the Hahnville defense as two singles, a walk, two Lady Tiger errors and six stolen bases in the bottom of the first led to two unearned runs.

With the score tied 2-2, the Lady Tigers put together a rally in the second. Vial led off the inning with a single and advanced to second on an error. Vial's courtesy runner, Kristen Laque then went to third on a wild pitch and was driven in by second baseman Gina Sierra who reached on an error. Third baseman Ariel Romero then drove in Sierra with a triple to bring the score to 4-2. Romero then scored when first baseman Michelle Eusea walked, took second and drew a throw. But then three popouts ended the inning with Hahnville leading 5-2.

Flores was dominant on the mound. After the fourth batter of the game, she retired 17 straight. She also struck out the side in the fourth and fifth innings.

The Lady Tigers extended their lead in the top of the fourth after right fielder Karla Troxler reached on an infield single and stole second. Clowers then drove her in with a double to make the score 6-2.

In the fifth, Hahnville benefited from several Abramson defensive miscues. Center fielder Dara Fontenot led off with a bunt single and Minnich followed with a bunt single of her own. But both scored when the Lady Commodores made two errors on throws. The two runs put Hahnville up 8-2.

The Lady Tigers then sealed the victory in the sixth. Eusea led off with a double and scored on an infield single by Troxler. One out later, Clowers singled, reached second on an error, stole third and was driven in by a Flores single. Flores reached second on another error and her courtesy runner Amber Dutreix later scored on a wild pitch. Then the game ended when Minnich, who had walked, stolen second and advanced to third on a Vial single, scored on another wild pitch.

With the victory, the Lady Tigers advance to the second round of the state playoffs.

Eric LeBlanc can be reached at EricL@heraldguide.com or at (985) 758-2795, ext. 219.