Tom Dodge
The Lady Jays opened the 2020 softball season in fine fashion Monday as St. Edmund cruised to a 21-6 mercy-rule win over the Oakdale Lady Warriors.
After Lady Jay starting pitcher Karleigh Soileau struck out the side to begin the game, the St. Edmund offense exploded for 11 runs in the bottom of the first frame.
Soileau singled with one out and Anna Chapman followed with a RBI triple and then courtesy runner Ellie Manuel scored on an Oakdale throwing error.
Kennedy Ardoin walked and scored on a passed ball, while Harlee Guillory walked and crossed home plate when Sarah Duplechain was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded.
Duplechain later scored when Karleigh Soileau was hit by pitch with the bases full.
Ashlyn Marcantel walked and scored on a bases loaded walk by Jaedyn Soileau as the Lady Jays continued their scoring barrage.
Jena Pommier reached on a fielder’s choice and later advanced home, while Elizabeth McGee was hit by a pitch to keep the inning going.
After Jaedyn Soileau and Karleigh Soileau both hit by pitches as the Lady Jays moved back to the start of the lineup, Chapman ripped a two-RBI single to push St. Ed’s ahead 9-0.
The final two runs of the inning came on a hit by Guillory.
After two scoreless innings, Oakdale closed the gap to 11-6 in the top of the third aided by a grand slam from MyQuilia Haywood.
St. Edmund responded with eight runs in the bottom of the inning to move ahead, 19-6.
Chapman singled and scored on a throwing error, while Ardoin and Guillory both walked and crossed home plate on a two-RBI single by Marcantel.
Pommier walked and scored on a hit by Jaedyn Soileau as St. Edmund kept moving base runners.
Katelyn LaCour walked and later scored on a passed ball, while Marcantel scored on a hit by Karleigh Soileau.
Jaedyn Soileau advanced home to push the Lady Jays’ margin to 12 runs.
Karleigh Soileau scored on a two-out hit by Chapman as the Lady Jays led 19-6.
After Jaedyn Soileau and Ardoin both pitched in the third inning, Karleigh Soileau returned to the circle and recorded three straight strikeouts in the fourth inning.
St. Edmund sealed the mercy-rule win in the bottom of the fourth, begun when Ardoin walked and scored on a hit by Pommier.
Guillory reached on a fielder’s choice and scored the game’s final run on a two-out hit by Jaedyn Soileau.
Karleigh Soileau earned the win as she struck out eight and did not allow a hit over her three innings pitched.
Chapman went 4-for-4 with a triple, four RBI and three runs scored to lead the Lady Jays’ offense.
Beau Chene jamboree
PRAIRIE BASSE – It was Anna Chapman’s day at the Beau Chene softball jamboree.
St. Edmund grabbed a 2-1 win over Northside Christian and tied Beau Chene 1-1 and Chapman’s hits played a vital part in both contests.
After two scoreless innings gainst Northside Christian, the Lady Jays scored twice in the top of the thirdwhen Jaedyn Soileau singled, Karleigh Soileau doubled and then Chapman followed with a two-RBI double to give St. Ed’s a 2-0 advantage.
Northside’s Riley Armstrong singled in the bottom of the inning and later scored on a passed ball to close the final gap to 2-1.
Karleigh Soileau earned the win as she allowed one hit, one walk and struck out nine Lady Warrior batters.
Against Class 4-1A Beau Chene, Chapman hit a solo home run in the top of the first to give the Lady Jays a 1-0 lead.
The Lady Gators tied the game in the bottom of the third innin g when Chole Marks singled, advanced on a sacrifice bunt by Sydnee Arnaud and scored on a hit to left field by Kirsten Lalonde.
Karleigh Soileau pitched the first two innings as she struck out four and walked one.
Kennedy Ardoin pitched the final inning as she allowed one run on two hits.
St. Edmund travels to Port Barre for a 3:30 p.m. contest today before participating in the Oakdale tournament this weekend.