Softball Playoffs: Northshore, Belle Chasse, Albany, Springfield advance while Ehret, Riverdale, South Plaquemines fall in openers

https://crescentcitysports.mystagingwebsite.com/lhsaa-softball-playoff-scores-schedule-update-for-tuesday-april-17-2018/

There were no surprises among area teams in the opening round of the LHSAA Prep Softball Playoffs Monday.

In Class 5A, seventh-seeded Northshore hammered 26th seed Thibodaux 15-0 in a game shortened to three innings by the Mercy rule.

The Panthers scored five runs in the first inning, including a two-run single by Kiera Coulon. They put the game away with 10 runs in the bottom of the second inning, featuring a two-run home run by Mallory Suberville and two-run doubles by Alyssa West, Alora McInnis and Emma McCormick. Montana Young did not allow a hit in picking up the win, fanning six Lady Tigers.

Northshore (21-5) advances to the regional round to face the winner of the game today pitting District 6-5A rival and 23rd seed Fontainebleau at No. 10 Natchitoches Central. Thibodaux ended its season 13-14.

Top-seeded Ouachita Parish rolled over 32nd seed John Ehret 15-0 in a game also shortened to three innings by the Mercy rule.

Brittney Fendall was the story, belting a pair of two-run home runs in the bottom of the second inning and she drove in eight runs for the Lady Lions (29-4). Allie Ellerbe pitched a shutout, fanning eight Lady Patriots while allowing just two hits. Ehret ended its season 12-11.

In action today, 24th-seeded Slidell travels to ninth seed Central at 4 p.m., fifth seed Mandeville entertains 20th-seeded West Monroe at 4 p.m., No. 14 Ponchatoula plays host to 19th-seeded Live Oak at 5 p.m., 27th seed Hammond makes the long trip to Bossier to face sixth seed Airline at 4 p.m. and second seed Hahnville entertains 31st seed Comeaux at 4 p.m.

In Class 4A, sixth-seeded Belle Chasse handled 27th-seed South Lafourche 10-0 in a game shortened to five innings by the Mercy rule.

The Cardinals (24-8) scored five runs in the first inning, one in the second, three in the third inning and put the game away with a run in the bottom of the fifth to end it.

Gracee Hess was the hitting star, going 4-for-4 with four RBI, Felicia Barber went 3-for-4 with an RBI and scored four runs and Brookelyn Sweeney pitched a shutout, striking out five. Sweeney pitched around a bases loaded jam in the top of the first inning and went three innings to pick up the win. Claire Chiasson took the loss for the Lady Gators (11-13).

Seventh-seeded Northwood blanked 26th seed Riverdale 3-0 at Shreveport Monday.

Shelby Blaine pitched a two-hitter and drove in a pair of runs in the decisive third inning to pace the Lady Falcons (17-6). The Lady Rebels ended their season at 9-7.

Belle Chasse (24-8) advances to the regional round to face the winner of today’s game pitting 22nd-seeded Plaquemine at 11th seed Beau Chene.

Today, 32nd-seeded Karr faces a tall task at top-seed Morgan City at 5:30 p.m., 17th seed Pearl River renews acquaintances with District 8-4A rival and 16th-seeded Franklinton at 5:30 p.m. at Franklinton. The Demons won the regular season matchup 2-1 on April 5 at Pearl River. 18th-seed Lakeshore travels to 15th-seeded Leesville at 4 p.m.

In Class 3A, sixth seed Albany dumped 27th-seed Marksville 12-0 in five innings by the Mercy rule.

Rayanne Ridgel had an inside-the-park home run for the Lady Hornets (27-6) in the second inning. Brittney Turner also homered for Albany and pitched a three-hit shutout. Logan Brevelle took the loss for Marksville (10-17). Albany advances to the regional round to host 11th seed Jena, who dismissed 22nd Berwick 7-1.

In games Tuesday, 12th seed St. James will entertain 21st seed West Feliciana at 4:30 p.m. while 30th-seeded Loranger makes a long trip to third seed Sterlington at 5 p.m.

In Class 2A, 12th seed Loreauville eliminated 21st seed South Plaquemines 18-6 in a game shortened to six innings by the Mercy rule.

It was better news for 11th seed Springfield, 7-6 winners over 22nd seed Port Allen. Morgan Sibley went the distance, striking 11 Lady Pelicans while allowing just three hits to get the hard-earned victory for the Lady Bulldogs (13-14), who survived a four-run rally by Port Allen in the top of the seventh inning. Sibley added an RBI single at the plate. Jamie Perkins took the loss for Port Allen (15-13).

Springfield hits the road to take on sixth-seeded Rapides in the regional round. Rapides blanked 27th-seeded North Caddo 6-0.

In Class 1A, 17th-seeded West St. John travels to 16th seed Ringgold this afternoon at 3:30 p.m.

On the select side in Division III, it will be ninth seed Country Day traveling to Covington to face eighth-seeded Northlake Christian today at 4:30 p.m.

In Division IV, 14th-seeded Ecole Classique travels to Morgan City to take on third-seed Central Catholic today at 5:30 p.m. at Bayou Vista Civic Center.