Katie Ortego launched a pitch into centerfield to bring home Hahnville’s 15th run of the day, and ninth of the fourth inning, bringing the action to a close.
It was a stark reminder of what Hahnville is capable of when it’s on a roll – and perhaps a warning to future opponents – as Ortego’s walk-off RBI put the finishing touches on a 15-0 victory over rival Destrehan in District 7-5A action at Hahnville Tuesday. Ortego went 4-for-4 with four RBIs and two runs scored, among the offensive leaders on a day boasting plenty of them. The game ended after four-innings by the 15-run rule.
“This is our rival, and it’s always a high energy game,” Ortego said. “This is probably the most people we’ve had out to see a game this year … we feed off of (the crowd) to a certain extent … we learned very young that energy is very contagious. (The crowd) added to that.”
Hahnville scored five runs in the second inning after taking a 1-0 lead in the first, the Tigers controlling the action throughout. Starting pitcher Laney Waguespack went all four innings and earned a three-hit shutout, striking out seven and walking four.
Adeline Bertrand went 2-for-3 with three RBIs. Sara Roussel was 1-for-3 with three runs and two RBIs, but was especially disruptive once on base – she had three stolen bases on the day. Brazzi Jacob had two RBIs. Avery Edgar went 2-for-3 with three RBIs and two runs scored.
Bertrand, Ortego, Waguespack and Edgar each doubled in the game. Jacob had a triple.
Bertrand drove in Roussel in the first inning for Hahnville’s first run after Roussel led off the game with a walk.
Lauren Crochet started the second inning surge with a leadoff single.Laura VanEtta reached on a bunt and Destrehan error. Edgar singled home two runs, then Roussel hit a ground ball to drive in Edgar, reaching on an error herself to make it 4-0.
“When you play a good team and don’t make plays when you have chances, this is what happens,” said Destrehan head coach Kenneth Montz. “When you play a superior team and make the mistakes we made, not just physical errors but mental errors, you get what you deserve, and we got what we deserved today.”
Bertrand kept the pressure on, doubling home two more runs to make it a 6-0 game after two innings.
After a scoreless third inning, the Tigers truly got going in the fourth. RBI singles by Roussel and Ortego preceded a Waguespack RBI double that made it 9-0. Jacob tripled home two more runs to make it 11-0. Karli Bourg’s RBI single pushed the lead to 12-0. Edgar doubled home two before Ortego returned to the plate to wrap the game up.
“Our confidence is through the roof right now,” said Ortego. “We stay disciplined, stick to our zone … going forward, we just have to stick to our game and if we do that, we’re gonna win.”
Hahnville head coach Todd Schulz had to navigate his team through some difficult waters early in the season, with 10 players missing time due to COVID protocol, as well as absences due to other illnesses and injuries.
But the team has certainly hit its stride now. HHS (17-10) is 9-2 over its past 11 games and has won 6 of its past 7, that stretch including victories over Parkview and West Monroe as well as a close loss to West Ouachita.
“I think we’re peaking at the right time,” Schulz said. “I’m not gonna speak too soon, but we’re not your typical 14th seed.”
Schulz echoed Ortego’s thoughts about the team’s energy from pitch to pitch.
“You pay attention to the dugout, we can be down 5, 15 or up 5 or 15, we keep that same energy,” Schulz said. “I’ve been around teams, they get 3 or 4 runs scored on them and they lay down. It’s not over until the umpire calls the last out. And we don’t always come out on top, but I feel like the energy level is always in our favor.”
For Destrehan, meanwhile, the loss was a jolt after what has been a strong recent stretch for the Ladycats.
Destrehan (12-11) had won two of its past three games prior to Tuesday’s loss, with hopes of catching its stride in a season the team has seen new faces populate the majority of its lineup.
On Friday, DHS scored a decisive win over Thibodaux, 15-5, with four different Wildcat players lacing at least two hits in the game.
Destini Thomas went 2-for-4 with three RBIs and two runs scored. Ava Burkett went 2-for-4 with two runs scored and two RBIs. Makayla Thomas went 3-for-4 with a run and a RBI. Kylie Burford was 2-for-3 with three runs scored, while Sarah Johnson also scored three in that game.
While Kandyn Mustacchia took the loss against HHS, she had a strong performance against Thibodaux as she went six innings and allowed five runs, only one of those earned, with two walks, four strikeouts and a win.
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