Hanson Lady Tigers lock up District 7-1A Championship

Timely hitting supported the strong pitching of Sarah Sonnier as the Hanson Memorial Lady Tigers defeated the Central Catholic of Morgan City Lady Eagles in District 7-1A 6-5 Thursday at the HMS Girls Softball Complex.
With the victory, the Hanson Memorial Lady Tigers landed the 2016 District 7-1A Softball Championship with a 12-1 overall record and one game remaining on Saturday.
First-year Hanson Head Coach Paige Cavallin she could not be prouder of her veteran squad.
“They have been relentless all year,” she said. I honestly could not be more proud of this team as I think back to the times we were so tired and yet we never gave up but we remained hungry. Some of them have been to the state tourney and have have had a taste of it but I see them wanting the whole entrée. I was an assistant coach last year, but I could never have been more blessed than to start my coaching career with this team and keeping the tradition alive.”
Hanson’s Casey Fitzgerald belted a three-run homer in the bottom half of the third inning to pace the Lady Tigers 13-hit attack.
While the Lady Tigers built up a 6-0 lead in the third frame, Sarah Sonnier was doing her part in the circle to limiting the defending state champions Lady Eagles to only five hits.
Sonnier, who picked up another victory in the circle, went the distance and facing 31 batters while allowing five runs on five hits with seven strikeouts and two walks.
Top hitters for the Lady Tigers were: Allyssa Young, 2 for 4, double, single, 2 runs; Paige Diamond, 2 for 4, triple, single; run; Sarah Sonnier, 3 for 4, double, 2 singles, 2 RBIs; Baylee Young, 2 for 3, 2 singles, run, hit by pitch, stolen base; Casey Fitzgerald, 2 for 4, 3-run homer, double, run, stolen base; Charlotte Pillaro, 2 for 3, 2 singles, walk and Carli Pellerin (courtesy runner), run.
Hanson erupted for five runs in the bottom half of the third inning on Fitzgerald’s 3-run homer to take a 6-0 advantage. The Lady Tigers turned a 1-0 first inning lead into a 6-0 cushion in the bottom half of the third frame. Central Catholic managed to score two runs in top half of the fourth and seventh innings along with one run in the fifth before coming up on the short end of the 6-5 loss to the Hanson Lady Tigers.
Hanson (19-5, 12-1) will travel to play Highland Baptist in District 7-1A action on Saturday.