OPELOUSAS -- Despite trailing 4-2 at one point in the game, the Sacred Heart Lady Trojans picked up a huge 6-5 win over the Westminster Lady Crusaders in their opening District 5-1A contest Tuesday afternoon.
With the win, Sacred Heart improves to 6-4 on the season and is now 1-0 in district play. The Lady Trojans play Catholic of Pointe Coupee in a league game today at home.
Sacred Heart got off to a slow start offensively, picking up no runs in the top of the first inning. The closest the Lady Trojans got to scoring a run was when Lauren Shipp reached on an error with one out and got to second base on a fielder’s choice.
Westminster countered with a single run in the bottom of the first on a solo home run with one out.
Sacred Heart found a way to get the bats going in the top of the second inning. Olivia Hernandez began the at bat with a double in deep center field.
Camille Fontenot drove Hernandez home on a double of her own. Fontenot reached third base on a tag up off of a fly ball by Emilyse Bergeron.
Camille Soileau’s infield single was not enough to plate Fontenot, but was enough to put runners at first and third. Soileau promptly stole second base.
A deep fly ball to center field off of the bat of Natalie Doucet allowed Fontenot to score the second and final run of the inning for the Lady Trojans.
With the score at 2-1 in favor of Sacred Heart, Lady Trojan starting pitcher Camille Fontenot mowed down the Lady Crusaders in the bottom of the second, striking out all three batters.
Sacred Heart loaded the bases in the top of the third, but could not produce any runs, keeping it a one point ball game.
Westminster took advantage of the scoreless half inning for the Lady Trojans and put up three solid runs in the bottom half of the third to take a 4-2 lead. All the runs were earned as the Lady Crusaders pounded out four hits, including a double and a two-run home run.
Knowing more offense would be needed to secure a win, Sacred Heart exploded for four runs in their very next at bat. Camille Soileau doubled to open up the inning.
Doucet followed with a double of her own, putting runners at second and third with no outs. Sydney Soileau brought Camille Soileau home on a single and gave the Lady Trojans runners on the corners.
A single to center field off of the bat of Lauren Shipp plated Doucet and moved Sydney Soileau to third base. Meanwhile, Shipp moved to second on the throw in from the outfield.
A single by Tobie Landry brought Sydney Soileau home and allowed Shipp to reach third base. Karli Fontenot hit into a double play, but it was enough to get Shipp home for the fourth and final run of the at bat.
Westminster picked up their final run in the bottom of the fifth inning. But, the Lady Crusaders would not threaten again as Camille Fontenot and Aubrey Fontenot combined to shut out the Lady Crusaders over their final two at bats.
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TRACEY JAGNEAUX Sports Editor