Tom Dodge
IOTA – The Lumberjills jumped out to 4-0 lead and No. 24 Patterson held on for a 4-2 vicrory over the No. 9 Iota Lady Bulldogs in the opening round of the Class 3-A softball playoffs.
Patterson (9-16-1) will now face the winner between No. 8 South Beauregard ad No. 25 Baker in the regional round.
Iota ends the season with a 20-10 record.
After a scoreless first inning, Patterson scored two runs in the top of the second, when Madelyn Harrington reached on a fielder’s choice, Katelyn Larson singled and they both scored on a double by Gabby Marcel.
The Lumberjills added two more runs in the top of the third inning when Makenna LaGarde singled, Kara Lawrence singled and Layla Giroir blasted a two-RBI triple to centerfield.
Trailing 4-0, Iota scored a run in the bottom of the third when Charly Sensat walked and courtesy runner Hailey Cormier later scored on a wild pitch.
The Lady Bulldogs threatened in the bottom of the fourth when Kylie Welch reached on an error but was left stranded at third base.
Ryley Crochet hit a solo home run to open the bottom of the seventh to close the gap to 4-2.
After a double play, Peyton DuBose walked but a called third strike ended the Lady Bulldog season.
Patterson pitcher Makayla Knight limited Iota to four hits by Amelie Armand, Welch Crochet and Wright.
Iota’s Greta Fontenot suffered the complete game loss as she allowed two earned runs on seven hits with three strikeouts.