NEW ORLEANS — No. 1 John Curtis had No. 16 Vidalia scouted well in the second round of the LHSAA Class 3A softball playoffs.

In the first inning, John Curtis anticipated Taylor Rodgers’ curveball and the Lady Patriots unloaded for four runs, three of which were anchored by a 3-run home run by Toni Hebert. The strong start by John Curtis would ultimately lead to a 5-0 victory against the Lady Vikings.

“We saw why they’re the No. 1 team today,” Vidalia head coach Forrest Foster said. “We let it get away from us in the first inning, but after that, it was a 1-0 game. They’re a quality team, no doubt, but so are we.”

John Curtis’ Peyton Pigniolo held Vidalia to just four hits, striking out 13 in seven innings pitched. The Southeastern Louisiana University commit was as good as advertised.

“Oh yeah, she was the real deal,” Foster said.

Foster said he was proud of his team for the performance they gave in the playoffs and for the way they adapted to his playing style this season.

“We put in a new system, and they learned how to play with us,” said Foster, who coached his first season with Vidalia. “We had a great year, and I’m looking forward to the future.”

McLaurin 0, Franklin County (baseball) 8

MEADVILLE — Franklin County entered the opening round of the MHSAA Class 3A playoffs hoping to sustain its hot bats. After an 8-0 shutout win against McLaurin, Franklin County’s bats remained red hot.

With a 2-0 lead in the fifth inning, the Bulldogs exploded for five runs, two of which came off of a Will Moffet home run.

“That really blew the game open,” Franklin County head coach Brent Calcote. “That made me feel a little more comfortable about our situation. If we can just put the ball in play and continue to play solid defense, we’ll be just fine.”

DaMantre Collins went 2-for-3 for the Bulldogs, including a triple and sacrifice fly. Antonio Christmas and Connor Quin each provided doubles in the Franklin County win.

While the Bulldogs mounted nine hits on McLaurin’s Davis Bradshaw, Franklin County’s Chris Cantrell limited McLaurin to just three hits on the night.

With the win, Franklin County improves to 13-6 and will play at McLaurin in game two of the series at 6 p.m. tonight.

Natchez 9, Picayune 19

PICAYUNE — A 16-run inning propelled Picayune to a 19-9 victory against Natchez Thursday night in the opening round of the MHSAA Class 5A playoffs.

Jarell Morris got the start for the Bulldogs on the mound, however, multiple walks in the second inning led to Picayune’s big inning.

“Jarell got the start because he’s my only senior,” Natchez head coach Dan Smith said. “We could have easily given up on ourselves after going down 16-0, but we didn’t. We fought back.”

Shavoke Herrington hit a triple and Jadarrius Ivory hit a double en route to a 5-run fourth inning followed by a 4-run fifth inning by Natchez. But the Bulldogs could not overcome Picayune’s lead.

Smith said he plans to start Herrington in tonight’s 6 p.m. home game and work Chris Scott in during relief.

Vidalia wins doubleheader vs. Avoyelles

VIDALIA — On senior night, William Handjis dialed up 16 strikeouts in a 6-2 win after the Vikings defated Avoyelles 14-1.

Handjis allowed three hits in six innings pitched, and Landon Seyfarth picked up the save.

“We had great pitching performances and we did well at the plate,” Vidalia head coach Kale Davis said.

Alan Doyle picked up the win in the 14-1 game, striking out seven in five innings pitched.

Cole Cangemi was 3-for-4 in the 14-1 win, including hitting two doubles.

With the victories, Vidalia improved to 15-6 on the season.