The Jena Lady Giants softball team started district play this past week and got their first district win in historic fashion.
The Lady Giants come into this season looking to make another run to Sulphur. Last year the Lady Giants pulled off a big upset at Kaplan in the quarterfinals before losing in heartbreaking fashion to Sterlington in the semifinals. The Lady Giants return a core group of players with lots of experience in Haylee Dangerfield, Callie Decker, Kiette Cooper, Triniti Williams and Autumn Sharp. Last season the Lady Giants finished third in district. They come into district play this season with revenge on their minds after tough losses to Buckeye and Caldwell last season.
Last Thursday (March 6) the Lady Giants welcomed the Marksville Lady Tigers to town to open up district play. This would end up being a great pitcher’s duel between two of the top pitchers in the district. Neither team would be able to get the bats going as both pitchers dominated.
Finally in the bottom of the 10th inning, freshman Kaylee Hardie would hit a double to right field to put herself in scoring position. The next batter, sophomore catcher Mary Wood, would lay down a perfect bunt right in front of the plate. The Marksville catcher would pick it up and would overthrow the first basemen as the ball would go into right field. This would allow Hardie to score from second base and give the Lady Giants a 1-0 win.
Jena junior pitcher Kiette Cooper would have an all-time performance in the circle as she would pitch all 10 innings without giving up a hit and would finish with 26 strikeouts in the game. Marksville freshman pitcher Katie Lachney finished the game giving up 1 run on 6 hits with 9 strikeouts and only one walk. Jena junior shortstop Callie Decker also had a triple in the game.
This past weekend the Lady Giants participated in the ASH tournament. Jena defeated Florien 21-1. Bayliegh Roszell picked up the win giving up only 1 run on 4 hits with 1 strikeout. Kiette Cooper had 3 hits, 7 RBIs, 2 doubles and a homerun. The Lady Giants would pick up their second big win of the tournament as they defeated ASH 4-1. Kiette Cooper would pick up the win giving up 1 run on 4 hits with 12 strikeouts. Callie Decker was 3-3 with a double and an RBI in the game. The Lady Giants would drop a hard-fought game in the finale of the tournament as they would lose 4-2 to Parkview Baptist. Kiette Cooper pitched 5 scoreless innings only giving up 1 hit with 10 strikeouts. Bailey Durham was 2-3 with an RBI.
The Lady Giants are now 6-3 on the season and have a busy week this week. On Thursday, March 13, the Lady Giants will travel to Caldwell for another district contest starting at 6:00 p.m. They will also be at the Brusly tournament over the weekend.
If you can’t make it to the Lady Giants game at Caldwell then you can hear all the live action on 102.7 KJNAFM starting at 6:00 p.m. If you are not in the listening area, then you can download the MIXLR app and search for KJNAFM or go online at www.kjnamfjena.mixlr. com.
Photos from the Marksville game:
