LA Heat splits with South Beauregard
By Tom Dodge
Summer softball is about having fun and getting better for the next school season. But winning helps make it even more fun.
The LA Heat split a doubleheader with South Beauregard at North Park on Monday winning 1-0 before falling 3-1 in the finale.
‘The summer is about overall player development,” head coach Louise Johnson said. “We are looking for some girls to fill some spots and see what our best options are going into next spring.
“We want them to have fun while they are doing their best,” she added. “They are getting experience in game situations and the live pitching. But they are also having a great time together.”
In the first game, Brooke Fontenot and Ashley Miller combined for a one-hit shutout as the LA Heat U-14 team grabbed a 1-0 victory.
Fontenot struck out one, walked one and allowed one hit over two innings, while Miller fanned two, walked one and allowed no hits in the final two innings.
The LA Heat scored the game’s only run when Brooke Fontenot singled, stole second and then scored on an errant throw on Ashley Fontenot’s sacrifice bunt.
The Heat threatened in the bottom of the first when Brooke Fontenot walked and stole second, but she was left stranded in scoring position.
The Heat loaded the bases in the bottom of the second when Blair Wallett, Abby Brown and Morgan Richard all walked but the South Beauregard pitcher halted the rally with three strikeouts in the inning.
“They are making some plays and making progress,” Johnson said of the younger team. “I am very pleased with where they are heading right now.”
Errors proved to be the difference in the second game as Leah Andrus led off the bottom of the first inning; she reached on an error and scored on the second South Beauregard error of the frame.
South Beauregard scored three times in the top of the fourth inning, taking advantage of three hits and two errors to grab a 3-1 lead.
Courtney Hebert singled and scored on a LA Heat U-16 miscue to tie the game at 1-1.
Brittany Martarona singled and Annette Ramsey walked and the duo scored on Leah Marshall’s misplayed hit as the visitors then moved ahead 3-1.
South Beauregard only reached base four other times in the five inning game as Andrus fanned seven and walked two in the loss.
The LA Heat travels to Catholic of Pointe Coupee today for a 5:30 p.m. doubleheader.