Lady Bengals ready to run

They were ranked as the top NJCAAA Division II softball team in the country and finished with a 45-6 record.
But the Lady Bengals fell short of their goal of repeating as national champions as LSU Eunice went 0-2 in the Region 23 tournament.
Lady Bengal head coach Andy Lee said his six returning sophomores are ready to put the season-ending disspointment behind them and make another run for the World Series.
“We wanted to defend our title but that was a really good team that played well together,” he said. “They did some special things and we are hoping to do that again.”
Returners include former St. Amant standouts outfielders Maddie Edmonston and Jaci Lavigne along with infielder Jordan Hartman.
Cather Jessica Thomas (Henderson, Texas), first baseman Kaitlyn Bertot (Clear Creek) and shortstop Allison Daigle (Notre Dame) also return.
Edmonston hit .354 last season with seven doubles, two triples, four home runs, 27 RBI, 22 walks and 28 stolen bases.
Lavigne hit .404 with seven doubles, two triples, a home run, six walks and 15 stolen bases.
Hartman hit .167 with four RBI and a walk in just 18 at-bats.
Thomas hit .221 with six doubles, three home runs, 19 RBI and nine walks.
Bertot hit .313 with two doubles, two RBI, four walks and four stolen bases.
Daigle hit .360 with five doubles, a triple, 13 RBI, nine walks and four stolen bases.
“I think we have some really good defensive players and some offensive producers,” Lee said.
“It is going to be hard to replace two All-American pitchers in Destin Vicknair and Raven Cole,” the coach said. “We will have a pitch by committee beginning of the season as we look to rebuild in the circle.
“Everyone is going to get a chance in the fall ball and hopefully some one will step up and prove what they can do.”
Lee said he has pitchers who can throw strikes but want to develop a top pitcher to lead the team.
New pitchers include Elizabeth Fontenot (Port Barre), Hannah Vidallier (North Vermilion), Jordan Dougherty (Calgary, Alberta), Jordan Bishop (Newton County, Miss.) and Molly Wilson (Castor High School) along with Springhill College transfer and former Iota pitcher Abigail Leonards.
Other incoming freshmen include Jeannemarie Angelle (Cecilia), Amy Crockett (West Ouachita), Erica Delaneuville (Riverside Academy), Kristyn Fairchild (False River Academy), Olivia Gabor (Kaplan), Mary Guillory (St. Louis Catholic), Savannah Lejeune (Catholic High of Pointe Coupee), Abigail Mondy (Lafayette), HopeVezinat (Dutchtown) along with Rebecca Skains and Bobbi Smith from West Ouachita.
“This fall is very important to develop our team especially the pitchers,” Lee said. “We have talent, they are just very young.
“I am excited to wait and see what happens and see who steps up and shines.”