Lady Bengals honor eight sophomores
They didn’t have an opponent to play, but the eight Lady Bengal sophomores were honored at their final home game anyway.
Louisiana State University at Eunice was scheduled to face Louisiana College in the final home game Monday, and according to LSUE head coach Brian DeWitt, the Lady Wildcats canceled earlier in the morning but the festivities were already planned.
Pitcher/first baseman Elizabeth Kaiser (Port Barre High), utility player Amanda Savoie (St. Charles Catholic), catcher/third baseman Kami Hebert (Teurlings Catholic), infielder Jamie Daigle (Acadiana High), utility player Emmalea Dugas (Loreauville High), outfielder Leigh Ann Jukes (Marble Falls, Tex.), infielder Jessica Cooper (Niceville, Fla.) and pitcher Fagan Willoughby (Patterson High) were honored before the intra-squad game.
“This is my first group of players to finish their two years here,” DeWitt said nearing the end of his third season at LSUE. “This group helped put this program on the map.
“The first team got the ball rolling and wanted to be a part of making history,” he explained, “but these ladies left a lasting impression with a great reputation as players and students.
“They worked hard and put the team first,” he said. “Ten years from now, this group will still be remembered as the team that brought the Lady Bengals to a high level of athletes and quality individuals.
“This group will always get the credit of helping us bring in the quality student-athletes we bring here including this outstanding group of freshmen.”
Hebert has set several school records this season and presently is fifth in the NJCAA Division II with 18 home runs and 16th in the country with 48 RBI.
“Numbers-wise she is the best hitter we have had in the program,” the coach commented. “The teams we face know about her and we set it ups so they have to pitch to her,” he added. “She definitely has the best chance to continue playing after she is finished here.”
DeWitt said Cooper fielding her shortstop position is the best Lady Bengal defender this season.
“She doesn’t make the fantastic jaw-dropping play every game,” he said before she made a beautiful bare-handed grab and fired a putout to first base against the freshman squad. “But she does make the simple plays every time. Any ground ball within her reach is caught and thrown to put the runner out.”
The sophomores held on for a 1-0 win over the freshmen behind the strong arm of Fagan Willoughby and several web gems made behind her.
“I am very disappointed that LC didn’t show,” DeWitt said. “I wanted the sophomores to have a chance to dress in their uniforms and play before the home crowd one more time.
“I am very proud of them and what they accomplished.”