IOTA -- With their 6-2 win over the Iota Lady Bulldogs here on Thursday afternoon, the Pine Prairie Lady Panthers are now one win away from one of their main goals of the season; a league title.
If the Lady Panthers can avenge their earlier loss to the Crowley Ladies on Tuesday, Pine Prairie will be crowned champions of District 5-3A.
Both Pine Prairie and Crowley own identical 13-1 district records. However, the Ladies defeated the Lady Panthers just three weeks ago by the score of 3-0.
So, the showdown for all of the marbles will take place in Pine Prairie, with the winner taking home the hardware. Game time is set for 5:30 p.m.
Against Iota, the Lady Panthers jumped out to an early 6-0 lead and got some solid pitching and defense to hold off the Lady Bulldogs down the stretch.
After a scoreless first two innings of play, Pine Prairie used the long ball to put up the first points of the game in the top of the third inning.
Allie Fontenot reached first on a one out single to left field. However, 4-6 ground ball made Fontenot the second out of the at bat, but put Kailey Soileau at first base when the Lady Bulldogs could not turn the double play.
An error on the Iota defense allowed Kaitlin Robinson to reach first base and moved Soileau to third. With runners on the corners and two outs, Jacie McFarlain made her presence known at the plate by crushing an 0-2 pitch over the left field wall for a three-run home run.
Pine Prairie added to their lead in their very next at bat, driving home three more runs.
Tori Johson led off with a single, but was put out at second on a fielder’s choice, allowing Abby Fontenot to safely reach first base. Asia George and Brianna Wall followed with back-to-back singles, scoring Fontenot.
Allie Fontenot followed with another single to load the bases. A fielder’s choice got George at home plate for the second out, but put Soileau at first to load the bases with two outs.
Robinson drove in the final two runs with a single that plated both wall and Fontenot.
The Lady Bulldogs collected their two runs in the bottom of the fifth, but were shut down the rest of the way.
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TRACEY JAGNEAUX