Tom Dodge
The Eunice Lady Bobcats opened the softball season this week with an impressive win over Ville Platte and a close loss at Crowley.
EHS 9, Ville Platte 3
Eunice coasted to a 9-3 victory over Ville Platte.
The Lady Cats jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first, begun when Olivia Thibodeaux walked and scored on Mckenzie Guillory’s triple.
Guillory scored on a hit by Alissa Pate as the Lady Cats moved ahead, 2-0.
Eunice added a run in the bottom of the third inning when Natalie Vidrine singled and stole her way around the bases.
Ville Platte scored two runs in the top of the fourth inning to close the gap to 3-2, but Eunice quickly responded with three runs in the bottom of the frame.
Nicole Vidrine walked, Jailyn Pavich singled and Carli Boone walked to load the bases.
Vidrine stole home and Guillory singled in Edwards and Boone as the Lady Cats pushed ahead 6-2.
Eunice added two runs in the bottom of the fifth, begun when Cassie Thomas singled, Pate walked and both scored on a two-out hit up the middle by Boone.
After a sixth inning solo home run from the Bulldogs, Eunice added an insurance run in the bottom of the inning when Thomas walked and scored on a double by Pate.
Pavich earned the win as she allowing three runs on eight hits with three strike outs and a walk.
Eunice finished with 11 hits, led by Pate (2-for-3, RBI, BB), Guillory (2-for-2, 3 RBI, BB), Kelsea Aguillard (2-for-3) and Pavich (2-for-3) all managed multiple hits for the Lady Cats.
Natalie Vidrine led the way with three steals.
Crowley 4, Eunice 2
The Lady Cats opened the season and District 5-3A play with a 4-2 loss at Crowley.
The Ladies grabbed a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning and that was enough to earn the win.
Joecelyn Marceaux singled, stole second and scored on a double by Phobee Spell.
Spell scored on a double by Skylier Baronet, who later crossed the plate on a hit by Kelsea Lagasca.
After three scoreless innings, Crowley added an insurance run in the bottom of the fifth when Lagrange walked and the Ladies’ courtesy runner steals home.
Eunice rallied for two runs in the top of the sixth ining, begun when Olivia Thibodeaux and Guillory singled.
Thibodeaux stole third and scored on a Crowley error, while Guillory scored on a single by Thomas.
Pate led EHS with a 2-for-3 performance at the plate, while Thomas (1-for-3) recorded the only Lady Cat RBI.
Eunice (1-1) faces district rival Port Barre (0-2) for a 5:30 p.m. game Tuesday at Lady Devil Field.