Live Oak High Softball

DONALDSONVILLE - Live Oak erupted for four runs on four hits in the top of the sixth inning to pull away from Ascension Catholic for good, as the Lady Eagles toppled Ascension Catholic 9-2 in non-district softball action on the Lady Bulldogs' diamond. Clinging to a 3-2 lead after five innings, No. 9 hole hitter Courtney Bankston got things started with a leadoff single for Live Oak in the sixth. Kayla Craft then laid down what was supposde to be a sacrifice bunt, but the ACHS second-baseman didn't cover the bag at second, as both Bankston and Craft were aboard safely. An ensuing error on the second-baseman allowed Bankston to score. Tori Bankston then dew an intentional walk to load the bases and Sally Trammell cleared them with a double to give Live Oak a 7-2 lead. The Lady Eagles added a pair of insurance runs in the seventh, as Natalie Fernandez singled, stole second and scored when Tori Bankston reached on an error. Michelle Trammell, pinch-running for Tori Bankston, scored Live Oak's final run on a single by Sally Trammell.

Ascension Catholic got on the board first off eventual winning pitcher Sarah Anthony, as the Lady Bulldogs scored two runs on two hits, with the aid of two Live Oak errors in the bottom of the first. Live Oak cut the deficit in half in the third with a triple by Fernandez and an RBI single by Craft. The Lady Eagles tied the game with a single run in the fourth with an RBI single by Courtney Bankston and then went ahead 4-3 with an unearned run in the fifth.

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WP - Sarah Anthony. LP - n a.

WATSON - Live Oak infielder and pitcher Sarah Anthony has signed a letter of intent to continue her softball career next year at Copiah-Lincoln Community College.

Anthony has been a key player in Live Oak's successive trips to the state softball tournament, including two runner-up finishes.

"Sarah is a versatile player that has helped the Eagle softball team in the infield and in the pitching circle," head coach Michelle Morris said. "She is a great game day player who rises to each and every challenge."

Anthony, who sports a .358 batting average and a .59 ERA with an 11-5 record on the mound, is likely to continue her multiple roles at the next level, said Co-Lin head coach Allen Kent.

"We are very happy to have Sarah join our program," Kent said. "She is extremely versatile and will be able to help us in several areas. Sarah has good movement and is a very effective pitcher. She gained a lot of confidence last year and should only continue to improve in the circle. She also has a good stick. She played second base when not pitching and is capable of playing a corner position."

Anthony has pitched seven shutouts, including three no-hitters so far heading into her senior season. She has 101 strikeouts. At the plate she has produced 10 RBIs and on the base paths she has seven stolen bases. The Co-Lin Lady Wolves are coming off back-to-back Mississippi state championships and are a perennial top 10 power nationally.

WATSON - Two-time first-team All State shortstop Natalie Fernandez of Live Oak recently signed a softball scholarship with the University of Louisiana at Lafayette on National Signing Day. Fernandez helped guide LOHS to the Class 4A state championship game in both her freshman and sophomore seasons, where the Lady Eagles finished state runners-up. Last year as junior, Live Oak's season came to an end in the state semifinals.

Live Oak will participant in Class 5A this upcoming season. Fernandez is coming off another outstanding season both at the plate and in the field. She batted .380, with a .440 slugging percentage last spring, while along with a .456 on-base percentage, she drove in 11 runs and stole 26 bases. Defensively, she had a .879 fielding percentage with 28 put-outs and 66 assists. In her three-year varsity career so far, Fernandez has a .400 batting average with 29 RBIs, 58 stolen bases and a .914 fielding percentage.

"Natalie has been a joy to coach over the past three years," said LOHS head coach Michelle Morris. "It is a great day to see one of your players work hard to fulfill her goals of playing softball at the next level. Live Oak has had a great success in preparing players for the collegiate level, but it makes it all worth the while to see someone like Natalie to be noted for her dedication." The coach described her senior star as "a true softball force on the field." "She makes things happen to fuel the team for continued success, and we expect great things for her upcoming senior season," Morris said.

Along with first-team all-state honors both her sophomore and junior years, Fernandez has been an All-District first-team selection for three years, as well as the league's Most Valuable Player. In the summer, Fernandez plays "select ball" for the Louisiana Patriots.

"Natalie will be a great addition to our group of slappers," said ULL co-head coach Stefni Lotief. "Her ability to compete at the plate and her speed will put additional pressure on defenses." Stefni and co-head coach Mike Lotief guided the Lady Ragin' Cajuns to a 45-13 overall finish in 2009, including an 18-5 finish in the Sun Belt Conference. ULL won the Sun Belt Conference Tournament, advanced to the NCAA Regional in Waco, Texas, where they finished 2-2, losing their first and elimination game to Baylor. The Lady Ragin' Cajuns' two NCAA wins came against Northwestern and Texas State. Natalie is the daughter of Gerald and Judy Fernandez of Watson.

Live Oak High Softball