Lady Jays rally in opener

If opening day for the new Lady Jay Field had been a movie set, the game finished just like the screenwriters would have wanted it to end.
After two scoreless innings, the visiting Mamou Lady Demons jumped out to a 2-0 lead.
But the St. Edmund Lady Jays rallied to scored three runs in the bottom of the sixth to steal a 4-2 win on Wednesday.
“It is wonderful to win the first one,” St. Edmund coach Tad Richard said. “I am not sure of the historical significance because it is a young season, but we will remember it tomorrow.”
Lady Demon catcher Kourtnie Deshotel doubled and Ariel Lavigne was hit by a pitch to start the third inning.
Deshotel scored when Amber Manuel reached on an throwing error to give Mamou a 1-0 lead.
Lavigne crossed home plate on a sacrifice bunt by Lauren Soileau.
The Lady Jays answered with a run in the bottom of the frame when Gabby Fontenot reached on a walk and scored on an error.
St. Edmund could have scored more in the inning as Baylee Lafleur walked and Thibodeaux reached on an error but the Demon defense stopped the threat with a double play.
“It was 2-1 and we made base running errors as we should have had a runner on third with two away,” Richard said. “But we were no way out of it.
“Until the final out, we will continue to play.”
Mamou pitcher Manuel continued to keep the Lady Jays off balance with nine strikeouts over the first five innings, but St. Edmund finally attacked in the bottom of the sixth to seal the win.
Sydney Thibodeaux singled and scored on a triple by Heather Bieber.
Heidi Bieber singled and then stole second to move into scoring position.
Kasey Lafleur hit a sacrifice to score Heather Bieber as St. Edmund moved ahead, 3-2.
Heidi Bieber then stole home to add an insurance run.
St. Edmund pitcher Kasey Lafleur earned the win as she struck out five over the last three innings and allowed just two hits.
The Lady Demons threatened in the top of the seventh when Maggie Soileau singled, but Lafleur struck out Maddie Trahan and catcher Thibodeaux threw out Soileau in a steal attempt at second base.
Lafleur then struck out Kelsie Mayeaux to end the game.
Thibdeaux went 2-for-3 with a run scored, while Heather Bieber (1-for-2, RBI), Heidi Bieber (1-for-3) also grabbed hits for the Lady Jays.
After playing in the CENLA tournament this weekend in Alexandria, the Lady Jays return home on Monday to take on St. Joseph at 4 p.m.
St. Edmund will also entertain Opelousas High at 4 p.m. next Thursday before participating in the Mamou tournament next weekend.