March 12, 2005

You're OK Annie

Minnich goes 4 for 4 with 2 RBIs while Flores strikes out 10 in victory over Terrebonne

By Eric LeBlanc
Sports Editor
(Photo by ERIC LEBLANC)

After the first two innings of light rain on Wednesday afternoon, the sun came out and so did the Hahnville Lady Tiger bats as they took the Terrebonne Lady Tigers down 6-1.

Shortstop Annie Minnich led the offensive charge, going four for four with two RBIs and a run scored. Starting pitcher Chelsey Flores also was on her game, allowing just one run on two hits and two walks while striking out 10. Center fielder Dara Fontenot and first baseman Michelle Eusea also drove in two runs each while Fontenot and Flores each scored two runs.

The game began as a pitchers’ duel. Flores walked the first batter to begin the game, but retired the next 11 batters. Hahnville’s bats were quiet as well in the first and second innings. After a Fontenot walk and a Minnich single, Hahnville threatened in the second, but could not score.

However, the third inning was a different story. After two outs, Hahnville began a rally. After Flores had reached on a fielder’s choice, third baseman Ariel Romero followed with a single. Fontenot then drove both of them in with a single of her own to break the scoreless tie. Minnich then followed with an infield single and catcher Meghan Vial loaded the bases by being hit by a pitch. Then Eusea singled, driving in Fontenot and Minnich to give Hahnville a 4-0 lead.

Hahnville increased their lead in the fourth after Flores walked and Romero singled. Minnich followed with an RBI single two batters later to give the home team a 5-0 lead.

Terrebonne got a runner to second base for the first time in the game with a leadoff double in the top of the fifth, but Flores struck out the next two batters and the next batter lined out to Romero to end the threat.

Hahnville ended their scoring in the sixth after Fontenot doubled and was driven in by a Minnich single to make the score 6-0.

Terrebonne would erase the shutout in the seventh after a run scored on a fielder’s choice after a walk and a single. But Flores coaxed a pop-up from the final batter to give Hahnville a 6-1 victory.

With the win, Hahnville improves to 12-4 overall and 3-0 in district. The team will be playing in the Sulpur Softball Tournament this weekend and will travel to Thibodaux on Wednesday to take on their Lady Tigers at 4 p.m.

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