The Lady Giants had a big week this past week as they once again played a couple of big non-district games to get ready for a playoff run, including an exciting pitchers’ duel against Grant where Jena ended the night with a victory.
On Monday, April 1, the Lady Giants traveled to Tioga to take on the Lady Indians. Tioga was the State Runner-Up last season in the top division of the state and this year they are a top five team in that division. The Lady Giants would play tough and fight all the way including having a 5-4 lead in the top of the eighth inning but Tioga would come back to win 6-5.
On Wednesday, April 3, the Lady Giants would have a signing day as senior left fielder Claire Bailey would sign with the University of Maryland Eastern Shore to play softball next season. Congratulations to Claire on a great accomplishment.
On Thursday, April 4, the Lady Giants would play at home against the Grant Lady Cougars. It would be a pitchers’ duel throughout as both pitchers pitched an excellent game. The game would be scoreless going into the bottom of the fifth inning.
In the bottom of the fifth, Hallie Paul would come in to score on an RBI double by Cydney Parker. Maggie Brown would then come in to score on an RBI single by Callie Decker to give the Lady Giants a 2-0 lead.
In the top of the seventh inning, Grant would make it interesting as they would score a run and would have two runners on but the Lady Giants would get the final out to go on to win 2-1.
In the game, sophomore pitcher Kiette Cooper picked up her 500th career strikeout. Cooper would pick up the win for the Lady Giants as she pitched all seven innings only giving up one run on five hits with eleven strikeouts. Cydney Parker and Callie Decker would both lead the Lady Giants with two hits each in the game.
This past weekend, the Lady Giants would participate in the Buckeye Tournament. The Lady Giants would pick up wins over Rapides and Benton. Saturday evening the Lady Giants would play #1 Sterlington who came into the game with only one loss on the season and is the favorite to win the Division III Non-Select state championship.
The Lady Giants played very well as the game went into extra innings tied at one. Sterlington would win on a walk-off homerun in the bottom of the ninth inning with two outs but the Lady Giants showed they can compete with anyone in their division.
The Lady Giants will start their playoff run later this week so everyone come out and cheer on the Lady Giants as they look to make another run to Sulphur.
All of the Lady Giants playoff games can be heard on 102.7 KJNA. If you are not in the listening area then you can download the MIXLR app and search for KJNAFM or go online at www.kjnafmjena. mixlr.com.
Photos from the Thursday, April 4 game against Grant at home:
