Tigers fall in Curtis clash, but down 2 in district

Hahnville’s scheduled trip to Sulphur for softball tournament action didn’t work out when the tourney was cancelled due to rain. So, in an effort to make up for the lost competition, Hahnville scheduled a non-district showdown against reigning Class 3A state champion John Curtis Saturday —a potential postseason preview, as Curtis has moved up to Class 5A this season. A slow start doomed the Tigers, as three second inning errors helped the hosting Patriots to a seven-run frame and an eventual 9-5 victory.

Curtis (11-3) struck the eventual decisive blow in the second inning, scoring seven runs highlighted by a two-run Payton Adams home run.

The usually sure-fielding Tigers (10-3) committed three errors in the inning, helping to maximize the damage caused by the Patriots.

“We obviously didn’t play our best,” Hahnville coach Jerry Nugent said. “We had a few breakdowns … I really felt things were going well for us, but we had one inning where it was Murphy’s Law. We made a couple costly errors and Curtis capitalized. Everything that possibly could have gone wrong for us in that inning did.

“To our team’s credit, we had a big deficit but stayed positive, scratched and clawed and put some runs across to cut into (the Curtis lead). But at the end of the day, it wasn’t enough.”

Danielle Duplay went 2-for-2 with a pair of runs scored. Pryscilla Prince and Catherine Friloux each earned a hit and scored a run in the game.

Curtis’ Toni Hebert earned the win, allowing two earned runs on five hits. She struck out four and walked three.

Karly Taranto took the loss for HHS. She allowed nine runs, though just one of those earned, on 12 hits. She struck out one and walked five.

The Tigers captured two District 7-5A wins to remain perfect in league play, winning at Thibodaux (9-6) Thursday, 12-1, and at Terrebonne last Tuesday, 13-2. Both games ended early via the 10-run rule.

Duplay went 3-for-4 with four RBIs for Hahnville against Thibodaux. VanEtta went 2 for 3 with three RBIs and two runs scored. Maeson Martindale and Catherine Friloux both went 2 for 3.

Taranto earned the win, pitching five complete innings and allowing no earned runs on three hits. She struck out four.

Hahnville scored at least two runs in each of its first four innings.

Against Terrebonne (2-11), Duplay went 3-for-3 with four runs scored and a RBI. VanEtta went 3-for-4 with five RBIs and two runs scored. Friloux and Madison LeBlanc each collected two hits.

Taranto earned her second win of the week, allowing one earned run on two hits. She struck out four and walked one.

VanEtta and Duplay have been on fire of late for Hahnville. VanEtta’s performance against Terrebonne was her second consecutive five RBI game, after performing that feat against Destrehan a week prior. Last week, the two hitters combined to go 11 for 14 with 13 RBIs.

“They’ve been on a very good run,” said Nugent. “They’re both seeing the ball very well. They understand how to approach hitting. Those two make adjustments very well and they’re very patient.”

The Tigers are scheduled to play at Ursuline today. Then, this weekend, Hahnville (10-3) will take part in another tournament. The Tigers travel to Live Oak, where it will Central-Baton Rouge on Friday at 5 p.m., then face Dutchtown Saturday at 9 a.m. and Walker at 1 p.m.

“They’re all quality opponents,” Nugent said. “All of those teams have historically done well. “We know that because we’ve competed in the postseason with a lot of them.”

Awaiting Hahnville after that run of games will be a district game at Central Lafourche, followed by a showdown with St. Amant in Boutte next Wednesday.

 

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