March 23, 2005

Lady Tigers take round one

Minnich, Flores, Sierra lead Hahnville over Destrehan

By Eric LeBlanc
Sports Editor
(Photos by ERIC LEBLANC)

The Hahnville Lady Tigers took a 7-1 victory over the Destrehan Lady Cats on Saturday in the first of what will be two parish showdowns this season.

Shortstop Annie Minnich was the driving force behind the offense, going four for four with three RBIs and three runs scored. Second baseman Gina Sierra also sparked the Lady Tigers going three for three with two RBIs. Leading Hahnville on the mound was Chelsey Flores who pitched a complete game, allowing one earned run on five hits while striking out six.

Leading the Destrehan offense was center fielder Kacie Brady who was two for four with a run scored. Driving in that run was third baseman Courtney Berthelot who was one for three. Julianne Beaugh led the Lady Cats on the mound, pitching a complete game, allowing six earned runs on 11 hits and three walks while striking out seven.

The game began as a pitchers’ duel. Hahnville got a runner to second base in the first inning after Flores singled, but that was the only hit for either team in the first inning. Both Beaugh and Flores struck out two batters in the first frame.

The Lady Tigers had their first chance to score in the second inning. After Minnich singled, Sierra hit a double, but Minnich was thrown out at the plate.

Destrehan got a runner to second in the bottom of the inning after second baseman Katie Lassere reached on a fielder’s choice and stole second, but a strikeout ended the inning.

The third inning was dominated again by the pitchers as Brady was the only batter to record a hit in the inning.

However, the fourth inning was another story. The Lady Tiger bats came alive as third baseman Ariel Romero and Minnich recorded back-to-back doubles with Romero scoring giving the Lady Tigers a 1-0 lead. Left fielder Lela Clowers then sacrificed Minnich to third and Sierra brought her in with an RBI single.

Destrehan threatened again in the bottom of the fourth when Berthelot reached on an error. Pinch runner Sherri Taylor then stole second and third but a flyout and a strikeout ended the inning with Hahnville’s 2-0 lead intact.

The Lady Tigers broke the game open in the fifth. Right fielder Karla Troxler led off the inning with a bunt single and then stole second and third. After two outs, Romero walked and took second. Minnich then drove both runs in with a single. After Minnich stole second, Clowers drove her in with a single. Sierra then singled and first baseman Michelle Eusea loaded the bases with a walk. Then a catcher’s interference call allowed Meghan Vial to advance to first and drive in Clowers. to give the Lady Tigers a 6-0 lead.

Destrehan put together a rally in the bottom of the sixth. Brady led off the inning with a single and was followed by an infield single from shortstop Gabrielle Roy and another single from catcher Shannon Clark. With the bases loaded Berthelot singled, driving in Brady and giving the Lady Cats their first run of the game. However, three straight outs followed and the Hahnville lead held.

Hahnville tacked on one more run in the top of the seventh as a sacrifice fly from Sierra drove in Minnich who had singled. Flores then retired the last three Lady Cats in order to give Hahnville a 7-1 victory and herself her 14th win of the season.

With the win, the Lady Tigers improve to 15-6 overall and 6-1 in district. The Lady Cats fall to 13-6 overall and 6-2 in district.

The Lady Tigers will next travel to Houma to take on the H.L. Bourgeois Lady Braves tomorrow at 4 p.m. The Lady Cats will also be travelling to Houma to face the Ellender Lady Patriots at the same time.

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