Tom Dodge
For four innings it was a defensive struggle between Westgate and St. Edmund.
Then the Lady Jays exploded for five runs in the bottom of the fifth frame as St. Edmund earned a 5-1 win.
The Lady Jays’ scoring surge began when Allison Lafleur singled and Abby Miller reached on an error before a triple to right by Kelli Richard cleared the bases.
Richard scored on a single by Gabby Fontenot to push the Lady Jays ahead, 3-0.
Maggie Larrivere doubled to keep the rally going, while a double by Annabelle Fontenot pushed in Gabby Fontenot and Larriviere as the Lady Jays moved ahead, 5-0.
Westgate avoided the shutout with a run in the top of the seventh inning when Cailin Gary singled and scored on a Lady Jay error.
Westgate threatened in the first inning when Hannah Tauzin earned a lead-off walk, but a double play quickly ended the scoring chances.
St. Edmund had a chance to score in the bottom of the inning when Mary Beth Lafleur singled but was left stranded.
Maggie Larriviere doubled in the second inning, but she was left at third.
Miller walked in tthe fourth, but she did not get past second base.
After giving up a walk to begin the game, Larriviere retired eight in a row with five strikeouts.
Megan Laurents singled in the top of the fourth for the first Westgate hit of the game, but was later tagged out at home to end the inning.
The Lady Jays threatend again in the bottom of the fourth when Fontenot and Larriviere both doubled but neither scored.
Westgate had another chance to score in the top of the fifth when Jansen Robichaux singled but she was tagged out at second base.
Westgate’s Addie Simoneaux singled in the top of the sixth but did not advance.
Larriviere earned the win as she struck out eight, walked two and scattered four hits over seven innings.
Larriviere helped her own cause as she went 3-for-3 at the plate.
Gabby Fontenot finished 2-for-3 with a RBI.
Annabelle Fontenot went 1-for-3 with two RBI, while Richard went 1-for-4 with two RBI.
St. Edmund (3-8) will travel to Rayne Friday before opening District 5-1A play at home next Tuesday against False River Academy.