Matt Vines

STONEWALL – The North DeSoto softball team has made its offensive living off the home run, and the long ball paid off Thursday in an 11-1 win against Iota in the Division II Non-Select quarterfinals.

Raegan Henderson smashed three home runs and accounted for six RBIs to lead a No. 1 seed Lady Griffin lineup that belted seven home runs in its 10 hits.

The first five North DeSoto (29-4) hits were home runs, and six of North DeSoto’s first eight hits went over the fence.

North DeSoto’s bats set the tone early with three home runs in its first three at-bats, solo shots from Mia Norwood (3-for-4), Henderson (3-for-3) and Payton Miller for a 3-0 lead.

Henderson supplied all three second-inning runs with a home run after a Regan Davlin hit-by-pitch and a Sasha Falls walk.

North DeSoto never looked back after the 6-0 lead.

Iota managed its only run in the third inning by stealing home, but North DeSoto pitcher Laney Johnson quickly stifled momentum with an inning-ending ground out to hold a 6-1 lead.

Johnson scattered five hits and three walks while striking out six in six innings.

North DeSoto’s Ciara Orgeron continued the slug fest with a solo home run in the bottom of the third inning, the fifth home run on the fifth hit of the night.

Henderson hit her third bomb of the game with a two-run homer for a 9-1 lead.

Maddie Stringer ended the game in the sixth inning with a two-run shot for the 11-1 win.

The Lady Griffins are one step closer to winning their fourth straight state championship and await the winner of No. 5 Iowa and No. 4 North Vermilion, who play tonight.

The action in Sulphur starts next Friday, April 26.

It’s the sixth straight trip to Sulphur for the program.

The two quarterfinals games on the other side of the bracket will be played Saturday between No. 14 Albany and No. 6 Grant and No. 2 Lutcher and No. 7 Beau Chene.

No. 3 Brusly, whom North DeSoto beat in the semifinals this past season and by one run this regular season, fell in the second round to Albany, whom North DeSoto beat in the championship game last year.