Winners of three of their last four games, the Hahnville Lady Tigers have gone 6-5 against the typically challenging early season slate that is tradition for the program. And while that is a solid mark, head coach Todd Schulz believes he sees a breakthrough ahead over the coming weeks – this team, he says, has a lot of untapped potential within.
“We’ve seen St. Thomas More, a team that won state and has everyone back,” said Schulz. “Then we’ve seen St. Amant, a team you know is always well-coached, always in the hunt and always is going to play well. We started the season off with those two and that was a really rough schedule to kick things off. But I feel like we’re going to see more consistency going forward … I think we’ll be kind of getting over the hump as we move forward.”
Those two games on the season’s opening weekend saw Hahnville outscored 18-0 in a pair of losses. The Tigers are 6-3 and have scored multiple runs in every game since, including a three-game winning streak that saw Hahnville pile up a combined 42 runs in wins over Natchitoches Central, Belle Chasse and DeRidder.
“I’d hate to have to pitch to this lineup,” Schulz said. “When we hit, we really hit. We can hit for power, we can move runners around, bunt … this is a very solid team, it’s really just a matter of getting them to fully believe that and for us to put it all together.”
Brazzi Jacob is among those comprising the heart of the order and comes off a very strong 2023. Since her return from a broken leg that she suffered prior to her freshman year, Jacob has been a consistent force in the Tigers’ lineup and this year has made a significant move defensively as she mans shortstop.
“I don’t think Brazzi’s sat for a single game since (her return),” said Schulz. “You always know she’s gonna give all she has. I think she’s more relaxed at shortstop – she’s played there before and she seems to really like it. I think she’s in for a very good season. She’s been bouncing between third and fifth in the order, hitting wherever we’ve needed her, and she’s one who’s going to give you that clutch, timely hit.”
Addy Bertrand, meanwhile, is another returning standout – and she makes nothing easy for opposing pitchers. Bertrand has struck out just four times this season.
“She’s got a real good knowledge of the strike zone,” said Schulz. “She’s going to play at the next level and you have to have that.”
Amberly Dempster and Morgan DeJean are also off to strong starts, as is Jenna Cancienne, who has launched three home runs thus far this season.
“She has a real powerful bat and we’re excited about her too,” said Schulz. “She’s stepped up big.”
Among newcomers to the squad, freshman Jordyn Chaix has hit four home runs already and has asserted herself as a factor.
“A very good athlete and she’s an even better kid,” Schulz said. “We kind of saw (her talent) when she came in, but we didn’t realize she’d take off like she has already. She’s very athletic and she can play anywhere on the field.”
On the mound, Hahnville has an experienced combination leading the charge as Cancienne and Kloe White are both back from leading last season’s rotation.
The Tigers fell in their last game to Dutchtown, 10-4, as the Griffins rode a 5-run sixth inning to take control. Dempster and Cancienne each had two hits for Hahnville. White took the loss on the mound.
That game took place at Hahnville’s annual tournament, as did its game earlier on Saturday – a 16-2 victory over DeRidder.
DeJean, Cancienne, Chaix, Dempster and Brianna Keller each doubled, while Jacob doubled twice. Cancienne went 3-for-4 with four RBIs. Jacob, Dempster and Addison Walton each earned two hits and two RBIs, while DeJean also had two hits to go with three RBIs.
Cancienne earned the victory, going the complete five-inning game and allowing two runs on six hits and a walk. She struck out three.
Last week the Tigers also faced off with Belle Chasse, taking a 12-3 win in which Cancienne and Jacob each launched home runs. Chaix and Bertrand each has two hits and two RBIs. Cancienne pitched another complete game, going seven innings and allowing no earned runs on nine hits and two walks. She struck out three.
