The Lady Giants played a couple of non-district games this past week, racking up more wins against top ranked opponents and a Class 5A team.
On Monday, March 24, the Lady Giants would host Claiborne Christian in Jena. Claiborne would come into the game ranked in the top five of Class C. The Lady Giants came into the week at #3 in the Division III Non-Select power rankings.
Jena would have no problem with Claiborne Christian as they would go on to win 15-0. Kiette Cooper would finish with 6 strikeouts in the game. Callie Decker would have an RBI triple. Haylee Dangerfield would have a 2 run single. Bailey Durham hit a three-run homerun to centerfield.
On Tuesday, March 25, the Lady Giants would travel to Quitman for a big non-district game. Quitman won the state championship in their division last season and would come into this game as the #1 ranked team in Class B. Quitman is led by LSU signee Calli Deal, who is their allstate left-handed pitcher.
The Lady Giants would jump out to a 4-0 lead in the third inning after a big double from Sydney Williams. Williams would finish the game 1 for 3 with 3 RBIs. Quitman would make a late comeback, but it would fall short as Jena would pick up a 6-5 win.
Kiette Cooper would pick up the win as she finished with 8 strikeouts. Haylee Dangerfield had two hits in the game.
This past weekend the Lady Giants played in the Quitman tournament. The Lady Giants were able to get two games in on Saturday despite the rain. In game one, the Lady Giants would defeat West Monroe 10-0.
Mary Wood would hit a home run and drive in three runs. Kiette Cooper would also hit a homerun and pick up the win in the circle only giving up two hits and finishing with 8 strikeouts.
In game two, the Lady Giants would defeat Oak Grove 5-0. Kiette Cooper would once again be dominant in the circle pitching a no hitter and finishing with 17 strikeouts. Bailey Durham led the Lady Giants with a triple and 3 RBIs.
The Lady Giants are now 17-5 on the season and ranked #3 in the power rankings.
Going forward the Lady Giants will have big non-district games each week as they look to prepare themselves for the playoffs.
On Tuesday of this week, the Lady Giants were at home against the Sterlington Lady Panthers. This will be a big matchup for the Lady Giants as Sterlington has ended their season the last two years in the semifinal round. Sterlington is also the defending state champions and ranked #4 in Division III Non-Select right now.
On Thursday, April 3, the Lady Giants will travel to Franklin Parish to take on the Class 4A Lady Patriots.
Make plans to attend and support the Lady Giants when you can. They are playing at the top of their game as they make their final preparations for the state playoffs.
Photos from the Claiborne Christian game: