LA Heat drops doubleheader to Sacred Heart, False River
By Tom Dodge
The summer softball experiment continues for LA Heat head coach Louise Johnson.
The Heat fell in a doubleheader Tuesday in a 2-0 loss to Sacred Heart of Ville Platte followed by a 8-0 defeat to False River Academy.
“This gives us an idea of where we are and what we have to work on,” Johnson said as the summer preparations for the 2009 season continue.
“Individually the kids have to know they have to get better.
“It is good for us to be in game situations and learn to know what to do,” Johnson said. “They need to see quality pitchers and play against teams that hit the ball and make us make decisions and execute.”
Sacred Heart jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning when Courtney Ramirez reached on a fielder’s choice and scored on a single by Logan Hebert.
LA Heat threatened in the bottom of the first when Anne-Marie Himel drew a two-out walk but was left stranded at first.
The Lady Trojans had a chance to score in the top of the second when Morgan Fontenot and Samantha Davenport singled with two outs, but the Heat defense stiffened to end the threat.
Adrienne Fontenot drew a walk in the bottom of the inning for the Heat, but could not advance past first base.
Sacred Heart added a run in the top of the fifth when Davenport walked, stole second and later scored on a passed ball.
Blair Wallet belted a triple in the bottom of the inning as the Heat attempted a late two-out rally, but Wallet was left standing at the corner when the inning ended with a ground out.
“She is making big strides,” the coach said of the young catcher. “She threw a girl out and also ripped the ball a couple of times today.
“She and some others are making progress and stepping up their game,” Johnson said. “It is not everyone every day, but it is someone every day.”
In the finale, False River jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the top of the second when Allison Delatte walked and scored on an error and Heidi Taylor scored on a passed ball.
The Lady Gators added four more runs in the top of the third, aided when four consecutive False River batters walked their way on base.
While Emily Allen was walked across, Kelsey Johnson and Delatte both scored on a double by Beth Mayeaux.
Mayeaux scored on a misplayed fly ball in the outfield to increase the Lady Gators’ lead to 6-0.
False River added two more runs in the top of the fourth inning to complete the eight-run win.
Amber Ortiz singled and scored on a single by Allen, while Veronica Nolen singled and crossed home plate on a sacrifice by LeJeune.
“It was hard for us to get the third out at times and help our pitchers out,” Johnson said of the doubleheader loss. “We can’t give any one more than three outs an inning.
After visiting Avoyelles 5:30 p.m. today, the LA Heat concludes the summer season with home games against DeQuincy on Tuesday and a rematch with Avoyelles on Thursday.