Central Catholic tops Berwick, 9-7

Central Catholic held off a huge last inning rally by Berwick for a 9-7 victory in a nondistrict game at Berwick Tuesday.
While Berwick entered its final at bat down 9-2, the Lady Panthers rallied for five runs in the inning.
Early on, Berwick took a 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning, but Central Catholic would score the game’s next nine runs, one each in the second through fourth innings, two in the fifth and four in the sixth for a 9-2 lead.
Sarah Thomas earned the win. In a complete game effort, she surrendered nine runs — six earned — on seven hits with three walks and one strikeout.
Hallie Autin led Central Catholic with a 3-for-4 performance with a double, two RBIs, a stolen base and two runs. Other top contributors included Cameron McDaniel, 3-for-4; Brooke Lipari, 2-for-3, a double, two RBIs and a run; Taylor Picou, 2-for-4, three RBIs, a stolen base and two runs; and Tori Estay, 2-for-4, a run.
Sydney Aucoin suffered the loss for Berwick. In 4.2 innings, she allowed three earned runs on six hits with two strikeouts.
Mary Jordan Melancon led Berwick with a 2-for-3 performance with two doubles, two RBIs and a run. Other top offensive contributors included Madeleine Hover, 2-for-3; Jaci Arnold, 1-for-1, a triple, an RBI and a run; Aucoin, 1-for-4, a double and two RBIs; Madison Carline, 1-for-4, a double, an RBI and a run; and Jordan Lipari, 1-for-4, an RBI and a run.
Berwick and Central Catholic now will await their playoff opponents, which will be announced Thursday. Berwick (10-15) will be on the road in the Class 3A first round, while Central Catholic (15-12) will host a Class 1A first-round game.
This past Friday, Central Catholic closed district play with a 16-5 run-rule victory against Gueydan in five innings.
The win marked the 250th high school softball coaching victory for Central Catholic’s Joe Russo.
“I want to thank every player and every assistant coach that helped me get to this point,” he said. “I am forever grateful for all the memories.”
In the game, Central Catholic exploded for 12 runs in the bottom of the first.
The Lady Eagles added two more in the second.
While Gueydan scored five runs in the top of the fourth to cut its deficit to 14-5, Central Catholic scored two more runs in the bottom of the fourth and held Gueydan off the scoreboard in the top of the fifth inning to invoke the 10-run mercy rule.
Offensively, Central Catholic pounded out 18 hits led by Picou’s 3-for-3 performance. She had a home run, five RBIs, a stolen base and three runs. Other top offensive contributors included Emma Aucoin, 3-for-3, an RBI and a run; Kaleigh Navarro, 2-for-2, a double, four RBIs and two runs; Kelly Russo, 2-for-3, an RBI and a run; Lipari, 1-for-3, two RBIs and two runs; Estay, 1-for-1, an RBI, a stolen base and a run; McDaniel, 1-for-2, a double, an RBI and a run; Autin, 1-for-4, an RBI and three runs; and Bailee Lipari and Caitlyn Picou, each 1-for-1 with an RBI;
Thomas earned the win. In five innings, she allowed five earned runs on five hits with three walks and fanned one.
MCHS game canceled
Morgan City High School’s softball game Tuesday on the road against Terrebonne High was canceled.
Morgan City (14-6) now will await its Class 4A playoff seeding and first-round opponent. Morgan City will host a first-round game.