Defense key as Lady Tigers enter district play

After losing the state title in heartbreaking fashion last year, the Hahnville Lady Tigers are posed to make another run.

Hahnville has torn through their early schedule so far with a 10-2 record. Many of their wins have been in dominating fashion as they have outscored their opponents 83-14. The team’s only out-of-district loss this season was a 5-2 defeat to St. Thomas More, who knocked off the Lady Tigers in last year’s state championship game.

Hahnville also lost their first district game on Tuesday to East Ascension (11-1) by a 5-4 score.

“Our bats started early and our defense has been great,” Hahnville head coach Kenny Vial said of his team’s strong start this year.

Junior pitcher Hannah Haydel has been extremely impressive so far. Haydel has pitched in every game this season, and has struck out 68 while walking 22. In her 10 wins, Haydel has allowed only 33 hits and four earned runs.

She has a .82 ERA.

“Hannah started slow, but I found the problem and it was me,” Vial said. “I was over-coaching her, so I backed out and put the games in the hands of the players. Hannah responded with six-straight strong outings.”

To prepare for district, which kicked off this week, the Tigers recently held a tournament at Hahnville. They cruised through it, beating South Terrebonne 10-0, Assumption 5-0 and Vandebilt Catholic 5-2.

“Hannah really hit her stride in the circle and we played great defense,” Vial said of the tourney wins. “Taylor Webre and Alexandra Friloux made fantastic catches against Vandebilt and Summer Melancon made an awesome play at shortstop that ended the game.

“We are starting to put it together.”

While the defense and pitching have been great so far, the offense has been a bright spot as well.

Hope Mair leads the team from the plate and is batting .536 this year. She has recorded six singles, nine doubles and eight RBIs while also scoring eight runs. Amye Barre is right behind her, batting .500 with eight singles, six doubles, 10 RBIs and 10 runs.

Webre has brought in eight runs, while Elise deBruler, Melancon, Friloux and Courtney Dutreix each have six RBIs.
The Lady Tigers continue district play on March 17 and will host Destrehan at 4 p.m.

“We are ready for district,” Vial said. “We have four really good teams and a very improved Destrehan team to deal with. Coach Montz has done a good job across the river.

“We will not take anyone lightly because we know anyone can win.”