Lady Bulldogs run past Pelicans

IOTA – It was a strong showing to begin the Class 3-A softball playoffs as the Iota Lady Bulldogs cruised to a 16-0 mercy-rule win over Port Allen Tuesday.
No. 12 Iota (16-12) now travels to No. 5 Winnfield (18-10) at 2 p.m. Saturday,
The Lady Tigers earned a 13-3 win over Church Point.
Iota exploded for 14 runs in the first inning as 19 Lady Bulldogs came up to bat in the frame as the Lady Bulldogs offense exploded over Port Allen.
“We really had quality at-bats,” Iota head coach Leah Andrus said. “We were disciplined and didn’t swing at crazy pitches.
“We made them get the outs instead of us helping them get the outs.”
Sarah Johnson singled and scored when Lauren Miller reached and scored on a throwing error.
Shydee Johnson tripled to right field, Cameron Crochet walked and Aymslee Johnson then drove in two runs as the Lady Dogs led, 4-0.
Katelyn Stephens and Taylor Dupont both bunted to load the bases before Teri Johnson drove in Aymslee Johnson on an infield fly.
Becca Fantroy walked to reload the bases as Sarah Johnson followed with a single to plate Stephens for a 6-0 advantage.
Miller reached on a fielder’s choice to score Dupont, while Shydee Johnson doubled in two runs.
Miller scored on a passed ball as Iota pushed ahead, 10-0.
Shydee Johnson crossed home plate when Crochet reached on an error and Aymslee Johnson doubled to keep the inning going.
Dupont drove in courtesy runner Sydnee Siebert, while Teri Johnson pushed in Aymslee Johnson for a 13-0 lead.
Fantroy hit a sacrifice grounder to plate Stephens to close the Iota scoring in the inning.
The Lady Dogs added two more runs in the second, begun when Shydee Johnson hit a home run.
Crochet singled and courtesy runner Siebert scored on a hit by Dupont.
The Lady Pelicans (16-12) threatened in the top of the first when Shelby Reed reached on a fielder’s choice but was left stranded.
Port Allen threatened again in the top of the third when Essence Dunn walked and Jamie Perkins singled, but neither could advance.
Iota pitcher Crochet earned the win as she allowed two hits with three strikeouts and a walk.
Shydee Johnson finished 3-for-3 with three runs scored, a double, a triple and a home run.
Sarah Johnson went 2-for-3 with two runs scored.
Aymslee Johnson went 3-for-3 with two runs scored.
Stephens, Dupont and Teri Johnson all went 2-for-3 in the game.
“We weren’t looking past as we were taking it one game at a time,” Andrus said.
“We played good fundamental softball,” she said. “We want to keep that going.”
The winner advances to the state quarterfinals to face either Bolton or Kaplan Friday at Frasch Park in Sulphur.
Last year, No. 6 Iota opened the playoffs with a 15-0 win over No. 27 De La Salle and followed with a 9-1 win over No. 22 Port Barre.
The Lady Dogs fell in the quarterfinals to No. 3 Kaplan, 8-0.