The Yellow Jackets’ Sam Hayes hits a two-run home run in the first inning of a District 3-3A game against South Beauregard on Thursday in Kinder. (Rodrick Anderson / American Press)

KINDER — Big hits were the difference-maker for the Kinder Yellow Jackets as they took control of the District 3-3A softball race on Thursday with a 6-1 win over South Beauregard.

The Yellow Jackets got a pair of two-run home runs in the first two innings from senior Hadley Lemmons and sophomore Sam Hayes to generate a quick 6-0 lead.

“We knew coming in that we could rely on our pitching and we could rely on our defense to get us through and that our hitting would be the difference,” Kinder head coach Haley Landry said. “We came out swinging just like we had hoped for, and we prepared for. Our bats did enough.”

Hayes launched a mammoth home run to left field in the first inning, almost hitting the first base stands at the Yellow Jacket baseball field. That put Kinder up 3-0 after Bri Fontenot opened the scoring with an RBI single.

With two outs in the second inning, Lemmons smashed a laser over the center-field wall.

“That was just huge,” Landry said. “We always know, especially in the top part of our lineup, if we get baserunners there is a chance they are going to cross the plate.

“That was just two very good hits, two very persistent at-bats.”

Kinder (20-7, 4-0) handed South Beauregard (15-11, 4-1) its first district loss and needs to win its next two district games to secure the district title. Kinder has won 12 of its last 14 games.

“I think about a quarter of the way through (the season) we got one of our injured back, and things just started to fall into place,” Landry said. “It is happening like we want it to.

“It took us a while to figure it out. We are there. Now we just get better.”

The Lady K’s entered the game needing one win to claim at least a share of the district title. They had chances in the second and third innings but managed a lone run in the third inning. Emma Huber scored from third while the Yellow Jackets were trying to catch Joslynn Deal off second base.

South Beauregard loaded the bases with one out in the second inning, but the Yellow Jackets got a force out at the plate and Fontenot ended the threat with a strikeout.

“Something I think that we are good at is keeping our cool and keeping our calm,” Landry said. “Our defense knows that, behind our pitcher, we can handle almost anything.

“Our veterans really stepped up in a situation like that in those stressful situations.”

Fontenot pitched a complete game with five strikeouts and two walks.