Barbe scored seven runs in the third inning Tuesday to take control of an 8-1 District 3-5A win over Acadiana.

The win kept Barbe and Sam Houston tied atop the district standings heading into their game Thursday in Moss Bluff.

The Bucs (19-6, 5-0) batted around in the second and scored four runs with two outs to blow the game open. Madison Chretien started the outburst with a one-out single and scored on a Halie Pappion double. Brenna Moncrief singled and scored on an error. Sklylar Lacomb singled with two outs to score Sarah David and Nyjah Fontenot capped the rally with a three-run, opposite-field double to left-center field.

“We just barreled up some balls, kept our composure and found a way to score some runs,”  Bucs head coach Candyce Carter said.

David and Chretien had two hits each and a walk.

Chretien said she’s working herself out of a slump by focusing on fundamentals.

“I started off pretty strong offensively, then went through a slump and I’m just getting back, trying to work everything up the middle,” she said. “I did extra hitting every day. I really focused on fixing my hands and staying inside.”

Pappion struck out 11 and allowed three hits in a complete-game win. She retired the final 10 batters she faced.

“She found a way to work herself out of some jams, attacked the strike zone and did what she does well,” Carter said.

Acadiana (16-8, 4-2) scored in the fourth inning on a Janci Aube double to score Madi Jo Lenderman, who led off the inning with a walk.

Chretien, the most valuable player of last year’s state championship game, said the Bucs have the chemistry needed to make another title run.

“Even though there are some age gaps between members of the team, we work as a team very well. There is no drama and we are one big family,” Chretien said. “I try to stay positive and help the younger players learn. I try to be an extra coach or a guide for them.”