District races heat up this week

Published 1:00 pm Tuesday, March 28, 2023

In this edition of the Triple Play, staff writers Warren Arceneaux and Rodrick Anderson discuss high school baseball, softball and track and field happening today.

Which is the most interesting baseball/softball game?

WA: Vinton at DeQuincy, softball. The Lions and Tigers are battling for second place in District 4-2A, with DeQuincy ahead by one game. Each team features a pitcher who can also do damage at the plate in DeQuincy’s Gabby Lafferty and Vinton’s Jaycie O’Connor.

RA: Alexandria at Sam Houston, baseball. The Broncos look to finish a four-game homestand undefeated with a matchup against select Division I No. 4 Alexandria. The Broncos, rated No. 3 in nonselect Division I, have won six consecutive games while their pitching staff has allowed six earned runs in that span.

Name a baseball/softball player to watch.

WA: Sam Houston pitcher Lexi Dibbley starred in the circle and at the plate last week. In three games, Dibbley went 9-for-11 at the plate with two home runs and nine runs batted in. In the circle, Dibbley won all three games and struck out 23 batters. Sam Houston is 21-1 and hosts Lafayette today.

RA: St. Louis Catholic senior Jake LaRocca has become a vital multi-position player for the Saints, splitting time at catcher and on the mound. In his last two starts, LaRocca has thrown a pair of complete games, allowing one earned run in 15 innings with 18 strikeouts and five walks. He is 3-2 with a pair of losses to nonselect Division I top-five teams Barbe and Sam Houston.

Name a track and field athlete to watch.

WA: Westlake’s Tristan Goodly is the area leader in both the long and triple jumps, with best marks of 22 feet, 4 inches in the long jump and 46-8 in the triple jump. Goodly’s triple jump is more than 3 feet better than the second-best jump by an area athlete.

RA: South Beauregard senior Trinity Spooner, an LSU signee, uncorked a personal best and state-leading javelin throw of 161-7 last week at the Pete Boudreaux Invitational last week in Baton Rouge. The Golden Knights are scheduled to compete today in the B.S. Walker Relays at Sulphur High School.