Sophomore trio trying to lead Houma Christian to first softball state title
Age is just a number for Houma Christian sophomore softball players Destiny Pierce, Jadyn Yesso and Hailey Henry.
Whenever the team needs a play, they aren't scared to step up and deliver.
“They are fearless,” Houma Christian coach Christi Crowdus said. “They are hard workers. They love the game of softball. They are very passionate about it. It’s not surprising to see that they have had success."
They have helped Houma Christian (25-3) clinch a spot in the LHSAA Division III state tournament. They will play St. Charles Catholic (24-4) in the Division III state semifinals at 4 p.m. Friday at St. Julien Park in Broussard.
Crowdus led the Lady Warriors to a state runner-up finish in 2009, and she wants to see her young players help the school win its first-ever championship this year.
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Pierce, who plays shortstop and pitches, has a .521 batting average, 40 RBIs and six home runs. She has 76 strikeouts and a 2.22 ERA as a pitcher. She said the sophomores just contribute when necessary.
“We just play softball. It’s just fun," Pierce said. "We go out there and have fun and do what we do. We all just push each other. We know we haven’t reached our potential yet. We’re going to get better from here."
Yesso, who plays first base, leads the team with a .607 batting average to go with 54 hits, 49 RBIs and nine home runs.
“People probably didn’t think we would be here, but it’s exciting in itself to prove people wrong,” Yesso said. “It’s great to do something that no one expected us to do. Being this young and having two more years together is just amazing."
Henry, who plays catcher, has a .481 batting average, nine home runs and 43 RBIs.
“We've basically just stuck together,” Henry said. “Our coaches told us to go out there and make plays. It feels good when we make a play to help our team win.”
All three sophomore players said they have been inspired by the team’s lone senior in pitcher Alyssa Cadwell, who has 108 strikeouts and a 1.97 ERA.
“Even on our bad days, she knows how to pick us up,” Pierce said.
Cadwell said she realized how special the sophomores were in 2021, when they helped Houma Christian make it to the Division III second-round playoffs.
“They are fun to watch,” Cadwell said. “Everybody has grown as a whole. I just tell them if you put the work in, you’ll do great and to never give up. It would be amazing for all of us to win a championship and make history."
Crowdus said her young players grew after losing to St. Charles 15-7 in the playoffs last season. They'll be looking for revenge on Friday.
“The younger girls got a taste of what that was like has helped,” Crowdus said. “Coming into this season, they were determined to get back to the playoffs and hopefully take it a step further, which we have accomplished. They have responded to that challenge.”
Reach Chris Singleton at 985-857-2213 or chris.singleton@houmatoday.com and on Twitter @courierchris.
This article originally appeared on The Courier: Houma Christian sophomores spark run to LHSAA softball tournament
