The Jena Lady Giants had a busy week this past week playing some of the best softball teams in the state as they prepare for the post season that begins this week. With district play completed the Lady Giants had non-district games that will prepare them for the playoffs.
On Tuesday, April 8, the Lady Giants played Tioga at home. The Lady Giants would get an excellent pitching performance from Kiette Cooper who would give up 3 runs on 5 hits and finish with 14 strikeouts. The Lady Giants would go on to win 7-3. Haylee Dangerfield hit a solo homerun. Sydney Williams was 2-4 with 3 RBIs.
On Thursday, April 10, the Lady Giants would travel to Grant to take on the Lady Cougars. Kiette Cooper would strike out 14 for the second straight game as she only gave up 4 hits and no runs. The Lady Giants would get 2 RBIs from Kaylee Hardie and would go on to win 2-0. Sydney Williams would go 2-3 in the game as well.
With the two wins over Grant and Tioga the Lady Giants would increase their power rating as both teams are in the top ten in their divisions which are higher divisions than Jena’s … so these were two big wins. The Lady Giants would also have a 10-game winning streak after picking up these two wins.
On Friday, April 11, the Lady Giants would play their final regular season home game as North Desoto came to town. North Desoto’s softball program is known as one of the best in the state and they are currently ranked number one in Divison II Non-Select.
The game would have a playoff atmosphere to it with two of the best teams in the state going at it. The game would be scoreless until the bottom of the 4th inning when senior Haylee Dangerfield hit a long homerun to give the Lady Giants a 1-0 lead. Callie Decker would then score on a Sydney Williams RBI double to increase the lead to 2-0. The Lady Giants would pick up one more run and take a 3-0 lead into the 5th inning.
North Desoto would come right back with 4 runs in the top of the 5th to take a 4-3 lead. Neither team would be able to score any more runs and North Desoto would go on to win 4-3. Kiette Cooper had 7 strikeouts in the game.
Even though it was a loss, the Lady Giants proved they can compete with anyone in the state and are ready for a playoff run.
This week the Lady Giants will have a couple of more non-district games before finishing up the regular season.
On Wednesday, April 16, the LHSAA playoff brackets will be released. The Lady Giants are currently ranked #3 in the Division III Non-Select power rankings. The Lady Giants are 23-6 overall on the season and will more than likely have a bye in the first round of the playoffs which will be held later this week. Their first playoff game in the second round will likely be Monday or Tuesday of next week in Jena. (The Jena Times Facebook page will update all playoff information.)
You can hear all of the Lady Giants playoff games on 102.7 KJNAFM. If you are not in the listening area then you can download the MIXLR app and search for KJNAFM or go online at www. kjnafm.mixlr.com.
