By GEORGE MAHL – Sports Editor

LUTCHER – The Lutcher Lady Bulldogs jumped out to a 6-2 lead early on and never looked back. The Lady Bulldogs scored at least one run in every inning but one, leading to a 15-7 non-district victory over Riverside Academy in the final game of the Lutcher tournament.

After Lutcher jumped out to a 6-2 lead, the Lady Rebels fought back to cut the lead to 6-5 heading into the bottom of the fourth. A walk and a steal from second baseman Brandi Keller led to her scoring on a sacrifice fly off the bat of Brittany Poche. Katie Duhe and Amanda Waguespack, the next two Lutcher hitters, also scored in the inning.

Duhe scored on a throwing error from starting pitcher Brooke Bourgeois. Waguespack, on the other hand, scored on a fielders choice hit by Hillary Lambert.

Riverside did not go quietly. The Lady Rebels came back in the top of the fifth and scored two more runs to trim the deficit. First baseman Jessica Brack reached first on an error, advanced to second on a single from Brittany St. Pierre and scored on a hit from lead-off hitter Lisa Lambert.

With one out and runners on first and second, Lutcher starting pitcher Whitney Bourgeois got the next two Lady Rebels hitters out to end the RA threat.

Lutcher, however, came back in the bottom of the fifth to score three runs and expand its lead. An error allowed Brack to reach first base, which was followed by a single off the bat of St. Pierre. A hit by Lambert scored Brack from second base, which was followed by a hit from St. Pierre that scored Lambert from second base.

The Lady Bulldogs added two more runs in the bottom of the sixth inning. After a lead-off single, Brittany Ocmand rapidly advanced to third base by stealing second and third base.

Lutcher then hit into two straight fielders choices, which allowed Ocmand and Lambert to score. Keller, the next hitter, grounded out to end the inning.

In all, the Lady Bulldogs got 15 runs on 13 hits, while RA managed seven runs on 10 hits.

Lutcher jumped out to a quick 5-0 lead at the end of the top of the first. In addition, Lutcher sent nine batters to the plate.

With two outs, the Lady Bulldogs scored all five runs. With Poche on second and Amanda Waguespack on first, back-to-back singles from Ocmand and Lambert scored Poche and Waguespack.

Top hitters for Riverside included Lambert (3-4, 2 runs scored) and Ocmand (3-5). RA next play’s Thursday.