The Jena Lady Giants softball team played another difficult schedule this past week playing some of the best teams in the nation. When the week ended, they remained unbeaten in District 2-3A and despite two tough losses against two of the nation’s best teams, they still sit atop the Division III Non-Select power rankings.
On Tuesday, March 17, the Lady Giants continued district play as they traveled to Bunkie to take on the Lady Panthers. The Lady Giants would come into the game as the only undefeated team left in district play at 3-0. Bunkie would put up a good fight in this one as the two teams would be tied at 2 and would go into extra innings.
In the top of the 8th inning, RJ McDowell would score on a Sydney Williams hit to put the Lady Giants up 3-2. The Lady Giants would go on to win the game 3-2.
Kiette Cooper not only picked up the win pitching all 8 innings and finishing with 14 strikeouts, but she also had 2 hits in the game including a double. Callie Decker had a hit, run scored, and a stolen base. With the win the Lady Giants improved to 14-1 on the season and 4-0 in district play.
This past weekend the Lady Giants would travel to Shreveport to participate in the Calvary tournament. The host team, Calvary Baptist, is undefeated on the season and is one of the best high school softball teams in America.
On Friday night, March 20, the Lady Giants took on a equally great Bentonville team from Arkansas in Game One of the tournament. The Lady Giants had a tough loss (24-1) but senior Autumn Sharp picked up her first homerun of the season.
In Game Two of the night, the Lady Giants took on nationally ranked and undefeated Calvary. Led by pitcher Kynzee Anderson, who is signed with the University of Georgia, Calvary has been one of the best programs in the nation over the last few years. Despite Jena’s Kiette Cooper picking up 11 strikeouts, Anderson and Calvary would prove to be too tough as they would go on to defeat the Lady Giants 3-0. Sydney Williams and Hallie Poole each had a hit in the contest.
On Saturday, March 21, the Lady Giants would bounce back with an 18-5 win over Caddo Magnet. Kiette Cooper had 6 strikeouts in the game. Autumn Sharp had 2 doubles, 3 RBIs, and 3 runs scored. Callie Decker had a homerun, 2 RBI, and 2 runs scored. Mary Wood had a homerun and 3 RBIs.
With the win the Lady Giants are now 15-3 on the season and 4-0 in district play. The Lady Giants are still the #1 team in the Division III Non-Select power rankings.
They hosted Quitman on Monday in a non-district contest and traveled to Marksville Tuesday for their final district game. This is a big game for the Lady Giants as they wrap up district play and it will decide the District 2-3A Champions. The Lady Tigers have only one district loss on the season and just beat a good Buckeye team.
This Friday, March 27, at 4 p.m., Jena will be back at home taking on Hahnville and Saturday, March 28, at 7 p.m. they will will host D’Arbonne Woods.
