FROM THE TOWN TALK

LaMar Gafford, Alexandria Town Talk

SULPHUR — Saturday's Class 4A title game was going to be a historic one for either Buckeye or West Ouachita.

With an opportunity to send their coach, Darlene Wiley, out as a champion in her final game, the Lady Panthers were stopped by the Lady Chiefs and lost 3-0 Saturday.

"The girls showed so much grit and they fought," Wiley said. "They came out hitting the ball but it went straight to them. Whoever had the best breaks in the game was going to win the game. You have to give it to them, they're a great team. Our kids stayed with them toe-to-toe, but when you can't put runs on the board, you don't win."

Buckeye (17-11) managed to get just one hit off Lady Chief senior Shelby Carlson, who earned MVP honors after being a walk and a hit shy of a perfect game.

Lady Panther first baseman Abby Thompson got her team's lone hit in the second inning and they did not have another runner on the bases until Jadyn Dauzart drew a walk in the sixth.

Ashlyn Roach's sac fly in the fifth gave the Lady Chiefs an extra run to play with after Wilhite scored to make it 3-0.

For West Ouachita, it is the school's first softball title after making it to Sulphur for 13 consecutive years and settling as the runner-up in 2009, 2015 and 2017.

"It's amazing and it's so humbling to get a championship after all these years," Lady Chiefs coach Ashley Hoyle said. "To actually win it and seeing my kids' faces, it's so humbling. I'm blessed and it's just an amazing feeling."

Despite the loss, Wiley was proud of her team and her career, which is highlighted by the Class 3A state title in 2012.

"To be able to take a group of kids like this that nobody really believed in and to let them experience what I have had the pleasure of experiencing in the past (is amazing)," Wiley said. "To win a championship is one thing, but to see a group of kids come together and play like they've done, that's pretty sweet."

 

Lady Chiefs advance to State Softball Tournament for 13^th straight season

By: Jimmy Touchet (From The News Star)

 

West Ouachita third baseman Joyce Currie tags out a DeRidder Lady Dragon for the final out in the Lady Chiefs' 6-0 Class 4A quarterfinal victory at West Ouachita's Reservation on Saturday, April 20. (Photo by Kenneth Burford).

CADEVILLE --- The West Ouachita Lady Chiefs are heading back to Sulphur for the 2019 Louisiana High School Athletic Association (LHSAA) Fast Pitch State

Softball Tournament for the thirteenth straight season following a 6-0 Class 4A quarterfinal playoff victory over the 2018 LHSAA Class 4A State Champion DeRidder Dragons at West Ouachita High School on Saturday, April 20.

West Ouachita senior pitcher Shelby Carlson continued her post season dominance striking out eleven DeRidder batters, while pitching a no-hitter and allowing zero walks, in the complete game of 7 innings.

“She (Carlson) is in the zone right now,” West Ouachita coach Ashley Burkett – Hoyle said.  “She is pitching well and moving the ball well.  With our defense behind her, we are hard to beat.”

After Carlson struck out the side with a quick three-up-three down, West Ouachita jumped all over the Lady Dragons by plating four runs in the bottom of the first. 

“I thought that we all came out very calm and very confident,” Carlson said.  “Our five seniors knew that this would be our last time to step on this

field and we made sure that we would leave our mark.”

Following a single by Lady Chiefs’ first baseman Ashlyn Roach and an error to reach base by Carlson, catcher Sam Eckert blasted the ball over the right field center wall for a three run home run to give West Ouachita the early 3-0 lead.   

“Honestly, I was just trying to get a base hit and score a run because I knew that we needed it,” Eckert said.  “I knew that it would take a little bit of pressure off us if I could get in one run.  She (DeRidder pitcher Kyleigh Hoskey) just hung it out there and I got a hold of it.”

Coach Burkett was pleased to get the early run cushion on a tough DeRidder squad.

“That big stroke (Eckert’s homerun) was huge,” Burkett – Hoyle said.  “We come out hot in the game.  We come out swinging it ready to score runs.  When we do that, it puts the other team down quickly.”

Later in the bottom of the first, West Ouachita left fielder Alex Roberson reached base on an error by DeRidder third baseman Jocelyn Irving. Up next, Lady Chiefs’ third baseman Joyce Currie laced 1-2 pitch in the gap in right center field to score Irving to give West Ouachita a 4-0 advantage at the end of the first.

West Ouachita would add another run in the bottom of the second when center fielder Jordie Wilhite hit a double to left center field to reach base.  Wilhite would eventually steal third which set the stage for Roach to hit a sacrifice fly to straight away center to score Wilhite from third and give West Ouachita the 5-0 lead.

West Ouachita would add an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth when third baseman Joyce Currie hit a shot over the left center wall to give the Lady Chiefs a solid 6-0 advantage heading into the game’s final frame.

In the top of the seventh, Carlson struck out the first DeRidder batter before hitting the second Lady Dragon in third baseman Jocelyn Irvine to give the DeRidder a runner on base.Next up, the West Ouachita defense took control forcing a 3-5-3 double play to end the game and start the celebration for the thirteenth straight trip to Sulphur.

About the streak – Is this the year that West Ouachita finally wins a state title?

Even though West Ouachita has advanced to the state tournament for thirteen straight seasons, the Lady Chiefs have failed to come home with the state’s ultimate prize – a state championship.

West Ouachita’s streak is one of the most impressive milestones in the state.  Some of the players on the current Lady Chiefs squad were in diapers the last time that West Ouachita failed to qualify for the State Tournament.

Still after twelve straight trips to the state’s top stage, coach Burkett-Hoyle still feels great for her girls and the team on the accomplishment.

“It feels amazing just like it does every year,” Burkett-Hoyle said jubilantly.    

In Sulphur, the Lady Chiefs have played .500 ball winning 12 games in the state tournament while dropping 12 games during their 13 straight appearance streak.

All total, West Ouachita has made the Class 4A state championship game three times, losing all three games, and advanced to the semifinal round nine times.  

West Ouachita will make the move to Class 5A’s District 2 next season where the Lady Chiefs will compete in arguable the toughest Class 5A softball district in the state. 

District 2-5A consists of 15 state championships earned by the Ouachita Parish Lady Lions (2 state titles – 2014, 2018), Pineville Lady Rebels (6 state titles – 1983, 1985, 1990, 1996, 1997, 1998), Ruston Lady Bearcats (1 state title - 2007), Alexandria Senior High (ASH) Lady Trojans (1 state title – 2016) and West Monroe Lady Rebels (5 state titles – 1991, 1992, 1993, 1996, 1999).

With the upcoming transition to Class 5A next year, West Ouachita will have a final opportunity to claim a Class 4A softball state title.

Up next, West Ouachita will turn its attention to its semifinal opponent in the second seeded North DeSoto Lady Griffins.  North DeSoto and West Ouachita are no strangers to each other having met in Sulphur twice in the state championship game.

“They (North DeSoto) are always very competent,” Burkett-Hoyle said.  “They are biggest competition in Class 4A every year so it will be a fun game coming in the semifinals no matter what.”

West Ouachita and North DeSoto met on February 25 with the Lady Griffins claiming an 8-7 home victory.

Coach Burkett-Hoyle was very pleased with huge home crowd that came out to support the Lady Chiefs’ march to the semifinals.

“We need them (West Ouachita fans) in Sulphur big time,” Burkett – Hoyle said.  “We need them to come out just as big as they did today.”

 

By: Louisiana Sports Writers'Association

Softball
Pos Player School Cl Avg
P Whitney Romero St. Thomas More Sr. 15-10
P Karli Perque Cabrini Sr. 26-7
P E.C. Delafield North DeSoto Jr. ??
P Amber Coons Neville Jr. 15-3
C Bailey Hemphill St. Thomas More Sr. .560
IF Christie Runnels Cabrini Jr. .545
IF Bayli Simon North DeSoto Jr. .434
IF Lauren Manuel Beau Chene .359 Sr.
IF Alexis Hagan Leesville Sr. .471
OF Keyana Poteat Leesville Fr. .433
OF Emily Henderson North DeSoto .390
OF Sierra Gasca West Ouachita Sr. .404
UT Hayley Barbazon Belle Chasse Sr. .524
UT Madelyn Phillips Leesville Fr. 10-0
UT Chelsea Fagan Bastrop Sr. .441
UT Haley Godeaux Cecilia Sr. .449
UT Sarah Koeppen Benton Sr. .434
OUTSTANDING PLAYER: BAILEY HEMPHILL, ST. THOMAS MORE
COACH OF THE YEAR: SHANNON AUSTIN, CABRINI

Honorable mention: Taylor Sturm, Leesville; Ryleigh Hicks, Leesville; Zakayla Collins, Leesville. Kennedy Hebert, Morgan City, Scottie Metrejean, Morgan City, Dwanna LeBeau, Morgan City, Kaitlyn Moore, Ellender, Emily Blanchard, Assumption, Jasmine Cox, Assumption, Megan Breaux, Assumption, Sunni Rae Blanchard, Assumption, Kassi Leonard, Assumption, Emily Danos, South Lafourche, Kelsie Authement, South Terrebonne, Maddie Boquet, South Terrebonne, Claire LeBlanc, South Terrebonne, Mikenzi Authement, South Terrebonne, Cassie Boquet, Vandebilt Catholic, Mackenzie Rousseau, Vandebilt Catholic; Cailey Folse, Academy of Our Lady; Riley DeLaval, St. Scholastica; Meghan Cumming, Tioga; Phoebe Spell, Crowley; Galen Brooks, Bastrop; Kaitlyn Dalferes, Lakeshore; Christie Runnels, Cabrini; Kylee Rounds, Tioga; Sami Walters, North DeSoto; Anna Armstrong, Northwood-Shreveport; Jordie Wilhite, West Ouachita; Jade Fields, Tioga; Britanny Hutton, West Ouachita; Shelby Carlson, West Ouachita; Emma Semmes, Neville.

ALL-DISTRICT 1-4A

FIRST TEAM

P — Emma Callie Delafield, North DeSoto, Jr.; Ashley Hunter, Benton, So. 

IF — Sami Walters, North DeSoto, Jr.; Abi Cole, Benton, Jr.; Olivia Osborne, Minden, Jr.; Anna Armstrong, Northwood, Fr.; Ryann Cisco, North DeSoto, Jr. OF — Emily Henderson, North DeSoto, Sr.; Siara Erickson, Benton, Sr.; Hailey Ebey, North DeSoto, So.; Hallie Saintignan, Benton, Jr. DP — Sarah Koeppen, Benton, Jr. Utility — Olivia Osborne, Minden, Jr.

MVP — Bayli Simon, North DeSoto, Jr.

SECOND TEAM

P — Bailey Phillips, Bossier; Sadie Murray, Northwood. 

IF — Anterrika Ekins, Woodlawn; Shana Baker, Bossier; Kyra Cassel, Bossier; Antasia Rhodes, Minden; Amber Giddens, North DeSoto; Tori Chaffee, Northwood; Shelby Blaine, Northwood; Kensey Brown, Northwood; Makenzie Chaffin, Benton. 

OF — Savannah Thomas, Fair Park; Miliyah Newman, Minden; Lashandra Sanders, Fair Park; Erin Jones, Northwood. C — Taylor Christian, North DeSoto; ShaDyamond Coleman, Woodlawn; Asya Walker, Bossier; Meghan Simmons, Northwood. Utility — Valerie Anderson, Woodlawn; Makayla Miller, Bossier; Ty Foster, Fair Park; Katie Bakalis, Caddo Magnet.

HONORABLE MENTION

Mackenzie McEntee, Benton; Jakayia White, Woodlawn; Sarah Mitchell, Caddo Magnet

 

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ALL-DISTRICT 2-4A

First Team

P: Amber Coons, Neville

P: Brittany Hutton, West Ouachita

P: Meghan Cummings, Tioga

P: Kenyshae Beasley, Bastrop

C: Chelsea Fagan, Bastrop

C: Emma Semmes, Neville

IF: Galen Brooks, Bastrop

IF: Shelrika Bryant, Bastrop

IF: Shelby Carson, West Ouachita

IF: Kylee Grounds, Tioga

IF: Lauren Bloomer, Neville

OF: Jade Fields, Tioga

OF: Tia Coleman, Bastrop

OF: Sierra Gasca, West Ouachita

OF: Grace Johnston, Franklin Parish

OF: Taiesha McDowell, Neville

UT: Amelia Purdy, West Ouachita

UT: Alyssa Coleman, Grant

UT: Jordie Wilhite, West Ouachita

DH: Carlee Carter, Grant

Co-MVPs: Galen Brooks, Bastrop; Amber Coons, Neville.

Second Team

P: Kaytlon Ward, Grant

P: Alias Harris, Bastrop

P: Kaylee King, Franklin Parish

C: Hailey Bradas, Tioga

C: Sam Eckert, West Ouachita

IF: Hannah McKay, Grant

IF: Madelyn Tullos, Tioga

IF: Monica Whitman, Tioga

IF: Cori Crossley, Neville

IF: Victoria Mays, Franklin Parish

IF: Gracie King, Franklin Parish

OF: Chesney Edgeworth, West Ouachita

OF: Shacassity Wilson, Bastrop

OF: Cheyenne Richardson, Grant

OF: Caroline Hebert, Neville

OF: Rachel Sellers, Tioga

UT: Shelby Selby, Tioga

DH: Madison Wynn, Grant

 

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ALL-DISTRICT 3-4A

First Team

P: Lauren Parson, So., DeRidder

P: Madelyn Phillips, Fr., Leesville

C: Brittney Broussard, Jr., Rayne

1B: Taylor Sturm, Sr., Leesville

2B: Ryleigh Hicks, Fr., Leesville

3B: Zakayla Collins, So., Leesville

SS: Alexis Hagan, Sr., Leesville

SS: Phobe Spell, Fr., Crowley

OF: Keyana Poteat, Fr., Leesville

OF: Aubrey Joslin, Fr., DeRidder

OF: Briona Crockett, So., DeRidder

OF: Breanna Larry, So., Crowley

UT: Layla Quinones, Fr., DeRidder

UT: Morgan Guidry, So., Crowley

UT:  Madalyn Dupont, So., Rayne

MVP: Madelyn Phillips, Leesville

Second Team

P: Nella LaGrange, Fr., Crowley

P: Tianna Boutte, Sr., LaGrange

C: Sckylier Baronet, Fr., Crowley

1B: Kaitlyn Killmer, Sr., Crowley

2B: Hannah Lonnett, So., LaGrange

3B: Brooke Moore, Jr., Rayne

SS: Trinity Axtell, So., Rayne

OF: Savanna Lacomb, So., Rayne

OF: Kennedie Bougeois, So., Rayne

OF: Vanessa Taylor, Jr., Crowley

OF: Jaysa Marceaux, So., Crowley

UT: Erin Lewis, Jr., Leesville

UT: Hadley Allen, Fr., DeRidder

UT: Jaylon Broussard, Sr., LaGrange

Honorable Mention

Crowley: Erica Thibodeaux; Lauren Breaux; Peyton Breaux

DeRidder: Breanna Burnette; Shawnee Guillory; Taylor Cobb

LaGrange: Jada Fuselier

Rayne: Madison Veneble

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ALL-DISTRICT 4-4A

First Team

Pos. Name, SchoolClassAvg

P Bryley Rodriguez, Beau CheneJR6-3

P Whitney Romero, STMSR5-1

P Lorin Martin, TeurlingsSO8-2

C Bailey Hemphill, STMSR.667

1B Lauren Manuel, Beau CheneSR.304

2B Macey Rozas, TeurlingsFR.350

3B Lindsey Charles, Beau CheneSR.375

SS Sydney Manuel, TeurlingsSR.375

OF Adalyn Deville, Beau CheneSR.517

OF Julia Laperouse, STMSO.350

OF Jamonnie Babin, CarencroJR.500

UT Payge Hebert, Beau CheneJR.444

UT Lacey Bonvillain, Beau CheneSO.455

UT Tyrianna Joseph, OpelousasSO.275

UT Paityn Desormeaux, STMFR.260

UT Armani Babin, NorthsideSR.521

UT Bailey Benoit, CarencroFR.440

MOST VALUABLE PLAYER: Whitney Romero, STM

COACH OF THE YEAR: Danielle Price, STM

SECOND TEAM

P — Emily Landry, STM; Tanya Simmons, Opelousas; Alexandra Martarona, Carencro; C — Megan Broussard, Carencro; 1B — Katie Granger, Teurlings Catholic; 2B — Tamia Scot, Carencro; 3B — Madison Judice, Teurlings Catholic; SS — Ismonia Bernard, Opelousas; OF — Mia Dupuis, Beau Chene; Gillian Harvey, STM; Kenzie Dupont, Teurlings Catholic; Cailey Goulas, Teurlings Catholic; UT —Victoria Burns, Beau Chene; Allie Barron, Opelousas; Jordan Castille, Beau Chene; Alexia Richard, Northside; Ashley Ball, Carencro; Tressie Mouton, STM.

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ALL-DISTRICT 5-4A

First Team

Pos. Name, SchoolClassAvg

P Chalise Huval, CeciliaJR8-0

P Madison McNeese, SMSHSO5-3

P Madilyn Domingue, WestgateSO4-4

C Haley Godeaux, CeciliaSR.615

1B Destiny Sylvester, SMSHSO.375

2B Krislyn Latiolais, SMSHSO.429

3B Gabbie Dugas, CeciliaSR.476

SS Rhyan Poche, SMSHSO.591

OF Kaitlyn Guidry, BBHSSR.470

OF Emily Harding, CeciliaJR.435

OF Alana Olivier, SMSHJR.261

UT Akeele Williams, WestgateSR.381

UT Kori Blanchard, SMSHFR.500

UT Lexi LaGrand, CeciliaJR.346

UT Kamryn Fontenot, WestgateFR.318

MOST VALUABLE PLAYER: Haley Godeaux, Cecilia

COACH OF THE YEAR: Cody Champagne, Cecilia

SECOND TEAM

P — Kori Westbrook, Breaux Bridge; C — Brooke Savoie, Breaux Bridge; 1B —Cami Courvile, Cecilia; 2B — Holly Freeman, Westgate; 3B — Alexis Broussard, Abbeville; SS — Caitlin Gary, Westgate; OF — Anna Ngo, Cecilia; Rami Mitchel, St. Martinville; Shelbee Meaux, Westgate; UT — Jessica Simon, Westgate; Camryn Hebert, Breaux Bridge; Kelci Talley, St. Martinville.

 

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ALL-DISTRICT 6-4A

 

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ALL-DISTRICT 7-4A

 

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ALL-DISTRICT 8-4A

Pitchers: Ashley Elsensohn, St. Scholastica, Sr.; Kaitlyn Dalferes, Lakeshore, Soph.

Catchers: Brooke Heinz, Pearl River, Sr.; Sam Conley, Lakeshore, Jr.

Infielders: Emma Autin, Lakeshore, Jr.; Riley DeLaval, St. Scholastica, Soph.; Sam Zelden, St. Scholastica, Sr.; Bethany Sandifer, Franklinton, Jr.; Drew Disher, Loranger, Jr.; Katie Gunther, Lakeshore, Jr.

Outfielders: Savannah Frieman, St. Scholastica, Soph.; Lexi Williams, Franklinton, Jr.; Paige Hulin, Lakeshore, Jr.; Grace Decker, Lakeshore, Soph.

Utility: Abby Mayfield, Pearl River, Sr.; Anna Miley, Franklinton, Jr.

Most Valuable Player: Kaitlyn Dalferes, Lakeshore

Coach of the Year: Jennie Jones, Lakeshore

 

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ALL-DISTRICT 9-4A

Pitchers: Olivia Brown, Ursuline, Soph.; Bailey Roe, Ursuline, Jr.; Karli Perque, Cabrini, Sr.

Catchers: Jessica Breitenbach, Cabrini, Sr.; Mykah Brown, Ursuline, Fr.

Infielders: Jade Alexander, Ursuline, Jr.; Raphaella Brown, Ursuline, Soph.; Christie Runnels, Cabrini, Jr.; Hailey Sculthorp, Cabrini, Sr.; Danielle Williams, Cabrini, Soph.

Outfielders: Maddie Avery, Ursuline, Jr.; Kaylin Hillburn, Cabrini, Sr.; Tayana Lee, Riverdale, Jr.; Katelyn Puinno, Cabrini, Jr.

Utility: Aubreanna Austin, Ben Franklin, Sr.; Elena Barahona, Riverdale, Jr.; Gabrielle Brown, Ursuline, Sr.; Sydney Youmans, Ben Franklin, Sr.

Most Valuable Player: Karli Perque, Cabrini

Coach of the Year: Shannon Austin, Cabrini

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ALL-DISTRICT 10-4A

First Team

Pitchers: Hayley Barbazon, Belle Chasse; Katelyn Luebbert, AOL; Ellis Cameron, McDonogh 35

Catchers: Magen Authement, AOL; Felicia Barber, Belle Chasse

Infielders: Brookelyn Sweeney, Belle Chasse; Emily Clark, Belle Chasse; Breanne Breaux, AOL; Callie Diaz, Karr; Terryanne Sandifer, Karr

Outfielder: Cailey Folse, AOL

Utility: Kaylyn McClendon, Warren Easton

Honorable mention

AOL: Lauren Nichols, Kassi Cressonie, Cambre Vegas, Hailee Richard

Belle Chasse: Cali Fava, Haley Johnson, Kelsey Johnson, Makalyn Helms

Karr: Kierra Williams, Taylor Sandifer

McDonogh 35: Infiniti Bradley

Most Valuable Player: Hayley Barbazon, Belle Chasse

Co-Coaches of the Year: Stephanie Andrews, Belle Chasse; Dawn Whitmer, AOL