Lady Tigers have #1 seed locked for playoffs
LaSalle’s late‑season surge has turned into a full‑blown statement. The Lady Tigers didn’t just win this past week – they dominated it, outscoring opponents 37–2 and locking themselves in as the firm No. 1 seed in Division IV Non-Select heading into the postseason.
The rest of the division will play their final game(s) this week and then the final bracket should take form and will be released Wednesday, April 15. (Check The Jena Times Facebook page for up-to-date playoff information.)
The Lady Tigers opened the past week with a commanding 15–0 victory against the Monterey Lady Wolves on April 6, showcasing sharp pitching and relentless offense.
Landry Long starred in another dominant all-around performance collecting three hits in four at bats. Long hit a solo home run to center field in the fourth inning, doubled in the third inning, and singled in the first inning. She also struck out 10 batters on the day. She allowed only one hit and zero runs over four innings while walking none.
The girls scored nine runs on nine hits in the bottom of the third inning. Thacker singled, scoring one run, Emma Fenoli singled, scoring one run, Emeree Gagne singled, scoring one run, Long doubled, scoring two runs, Kinley Morris homered to left field, scoring two runs, Jules Beaubouef doubled, scoring one run, and Thacker singled, scoring one run.
The Lady Tigers followed that with a 16–0 rout of Northwood‑Lena Thursday, April 9, clinching the District 3-1A Championship title in emphatic fashion. They scored 14 runs in the first inning. Kinley Morris hit a sacrifice fly, scoring one run, Leah Steen doubled, scoring one run, Ali Hatfield doubled, scoring one run, Kylie Bennett induced Emma Fenoli to hit into a fielder’s choice, but one run scored, Landry Long drew a walk, scoring one run, Morris doubled, scoring two runs, Steen drew a walk, scoring one run, an error scored three runs, Lexi Lasiter singled, scoring one run, Kylee Kennon drew a walk, scoring one run, and Emarie Black was struck by a pitch, driving in a run.
Also, Hatfield threw two innings of scoreless ball in relief. The pitcher allowed zero hits, striking out three and walking none.
To cap the week, they handled the Caldwell Lady Spartans 6–2, proving they can win both slugfests and grind‑it‑out battles. Long struck out 12 batters and gave up only six hits and two runs over seven innings while walking three. She also collected three hits in four at bats in the win. Long doubled in the first inning, doubled in the second inning, and doubled in the sixth inning.
The girls got on the board in the bottom of the first inning after Steen singled, scoring one run, an error scored one run, and Jules Beaubouef doubled, scoring two runs. Beaubouef went 1-for-2 at the plate and led the team with two runs batted in. Morris collected two hits for in four at bats. The girls stole four bases in the game. and didn’t commit a single error in the field. Morris had the most chances in the field with 14 balls hit her way.
Across all three games, LaSalle’s defense was airtight, the pitching staff was nearly untouchable, and the lineup continued to produce from top to bottom.
Hosting the playoff games is a major advantage, and LaSalle has earned every bit of it. LaSalle closes the regular season Tuesday, April 14 at 5:30 p.m., hosting St. Frederick.
They will receive an automatic first-round bye, but should be playing their second round game early next week. Come enjoy some great ball and support these girls as the post season arrives. They will need all the community’s help in order to ensure they go back-to-back with state championships! Go Lady Tigers!
