LaSalle slugs its way past Central Catholic, 17-11

LaSalle took advantage of the long ball on their smaller field en route to a come-from-behind 17-11 victory against Central Catholic in Class 1A regional round action Friday at LaSalle.
LaSalle used a fence that at least at some parts was 185 feet, to its advantage as it hit six home runs that produced 10 runs.
“It turned out to be a game of inches,” Central Catholic coach Joe Russo said. “Inches kept us from hitting at least two home runs that would have produced another five runs for us. That’s how close and exciting this game was.”
Central Catholic actually outhit LaSalle, 16-13.
Things started out great for Central Catholic, however, as the Lady Eagles jumped out to a 6-0 lead on their first at-bat, including an RBI-double from Taylor Picou and a two-RBI double from Kaleigh Navarro. Cameron McDaniel and Jordan Morvant added RBIs via sacrifice files for the early lead.
While Central Catholic pitcher Sarah Thomas retired LaSalle in order in the bottom of the first, the Lady Tigers began to heat up in the bottom of the second inning as they plated five runs. Among those were a solo home run by Alex Blackwell, a run-scoring double by Holly Laird and a three-run, line-drive home run by Ali Long to cut its deficit to 6-5.
Although Central Catholic extended its lead back to three at 8-5 in the top of the third via a two-run home run over the right field fence by Hallie Autin, LaSalle took the lead for good with seven runs in the bottom of the third. LaSalle connected on three home runs in the inning, including back-to-back blasts by Blackwell and Alaina Parham. Blackwell’s three-run shot tied the game at eight, while Parham’s solo shot gave LaSalle the lead for good at 9-8. LaSalle would get another home run in the inning, a three-run blast by Long for a 12-8 advantage.
LaSalle (21-8) scored two runs in the fourth inning via a two-run single by Laird to increase their lead to 14-8.
Central Catholic (16-13) plated a run in the top of the fifth on a Picou single to left field for a 14-9 deficit.
LaSalle scored three runs in the bottom of the sixth via a three-run home run by Keely Parham for a 17-9 advantage.
Central Catholic started a mini rally with three runs with two outs in the top of the seventh inning via a Brooke Lipari double for the 17-11 final.
Thomas suffered the loss for the Lady Eagles. In two innings, she surrendered nine earned runs on eight hits.
Lipari led Central Catholic with a 3-for-4 performance with a double, two RBIs, two stolen bases and a run. Other top offensive contributors included Emma Aucoin, 3-for-4, two runs; Picou, 3-for-5, a double, two RBIs, two runs; Russo, 2-for-4, a stolen base, a run; Autin, 2-for-5, a home run, three RBIs, two runs; Navarro, 1-for-2, a double, two RBIs, a run; McDaniel, 1-for-3, an RBI; and Morvant, an RBI.
“This team achieved more than was expected of them, and I am extremely … proud of them,” Coach Russo said. “They played with a lot of guts tonight. I want to thank my players, assistant coaches and all who supported us throughout the season.”
LaSalle (21-8) will advance to the state softball tournament in Sulphur Friday where it will face No. 3 seed Ascension Catholic in the Class 1A quarterfinals. Ascension Catholic knocked off Central Catholic’s District 7-1A foe, Centerville, 13-0, in other regional round action Friday.
Additional reporting by KBZE 105.9 FM