Freshman pitcher Addisyn Derouen recorded seven strikeouts against Newman. 

The Catholic High School softball team turned to two of its youngest members to secure a first-round playoff win over Isidore Newman.

Freshman Addisyn Derouen and eighth grader Kenley Sonnier led the charge as the Lady Panthers defeated the Greenies 12-2 on Friday.

CHS took an early lead, scoring two runs in the first inning and one run in the second to Newman’s lone run. The offense finally got the spark it needed in the third inning as the Lady Panthers scored seven runs to pull ahead. Two more runs in the fifth inning ended the game via mercy rule.

Head coach Payton Smith said the team’s performance isn’t without opportunities to improve, but she was happy with how they adapted during the game.

“I didn’t think we hit that well and we usually play stronger defense too. We knew we were going to see their ace pitcher this time and we hit better on a little bit of speed,” Smith said. “We adjusted well at the plate, too, so we hit better in the third inning than we did in the first.”

Derouen recorded seven strikeouts from the pitching circle, throwing 63 strikes from 97 total pitches against Newman. For Derouen, knowing that her teammates are there to support her makes it easy to perform in big games.

“Even when I struggled, my defense was there for me and they helped me out,” she said. “Sometimes I get in my head a bit, but I need to remember that my defense is there to help me out. Even if I get behind in the count, I can always come back.”

Leading the offense for the Lady Panthers was eighth grade outfielder Kenley Sonnier. Sonnier, who boasted a .730 batting average in the regular season and a .804 on-base percentage, has hit 19 home runs so far and always looks ready to send another over every time she is at bat. Against Newman, Sonnier recorded a double that bounced off the back wall and ended the game with three RBIs to her name.

For Sonnier, her offensive performance comes down to her mental preparation before each game.

“My goal is to make sure that I have a positive attitude, be prepared and know the gameplan every time I go up to the plate,” she said.

The Lady Panthers travel to LaPlace, La. on Tuesday to face second-seeded St. Charles in the next round of the LHSAA Select Division III playoffs. While the Lady Comets certainly won’t be an easy team to get the better of, the CHS coaching staff knows that a victory is possible.

“They’re a good team, so we’re looking to go out there and play disciplined and win the ball game,” said Smith. “If we do the right things, we’ll win.”

“It’s a tough team, but I think we can do it if we play hard,” added Derouen.