STAC grabs win over Lady Gators
By Tom Dodge
STAC scored four runs in the bottom of the fourth inning to earn a 6-2 win over Beau Chene Thursday at the Eunice High field.
“After we manufactured some runs early, the hitting came around when we needed it to,” STAC coach John Lejeune said after the game. “We just wanted to put the ball into play and then trust our defense when it was their turn to hit the ball back to us.”
STAC grabbed a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning begun when Chelsey West was hit by a pitch and Amber Darbonne reached on a error.
Blaire Fusilier and Jori Lejeune had back-to-back sacrifice outs to score pinch runner Megan McLemore and Darbonne for a two-run advantage.
The Lady Gators battled back in the top of the fourth inning, sparked by a double by Paige Cavallin and a two-out walk by Gina Dimattia.
Ravin Quebedoux then drove in the BC duo to tie the game, 2-2.
STAC put the game away in the bottom of the frame, begun with consecutive singles by Sarah Hebert and Kay Kay Devillier.
Brittany Faul ripped a double to score Hebert, while Devillier crossed home plate on a passed ball.
Courtney Fontenot then reached on an error that scored pinch runner Katie Conditt, while Fontenot scored the game’s final run on a single by McLemore.
The Lady Gators threatened in the bottom of the fifth inning when Shelby Lave reached on an error, but STAC leftfielder Frey made a diving catch in foul territory to snuff out the BC rally and seal the win.
In the first game of the double-header, STAC fell 4-3 to Beau Chene as a late-inning rally fell just short.
“We don’t worry so much about winning or losing during the summer,” Lejeune said. “We want them to get the experience and play up to the level of the older players.
STAC pitchers Ceslie West and sister Kirston West combined for eight strikeouts, four walks and two hits in the loss.
Beau Chene grabbed a 1-0 lead in the top of the second inning when Kat Dupre walked an scored on a hit by Miriah Quebedeaux.
The Lady Gators increased their lead to 4-0 in the top of the fourth inning when Courtney Carriere was hit by a pitch, Naomi Faul walked and Katie Jeanne reached on an error.
All three Lady Gators scored in the inning on back-to-back RBI from Gina Dimattia and Dupre.
STAC closed the gap to 4-1 in the bottom of the fourth when Chelsea West reached on a passed ball third strike and courtesy runner Amber Meaux scored on a sacrifice by Brittany Faul.
After Kirston West struck out side in the top of the fifth inning, STAC closed the gap to 4-3 when Conditt singled and Maggie Scheffler was hit by a pitch and they both scored.