From The American Press

By Tyler Nunez / American Press

The softball All-Southwest Louisiana team is largely led by Class 3-5A as represented by Tanner Wright (1.10 ERA, .513 BA) earning her second Player of the Year honor, and Barbe’s Sarah Portie being named Coach of the Year after taking the Bucs back to the Fast Pitch 56 for the first time since 2012.

Joining Wright on the softball team are pitcher Emily Hart (2.56 ERA, .345) of Barbe, Madelyn Phillips of Leesville and Cameron Croche (1.59 ERA) of Iota.

Infielders include Barbe catcher Sarah Katz (.471), Barbe first baseman Kylie Bergeron (.429), Sam Houston second baseman Casidy Chaumont (.425), Westlake shortstop Morgan Harlow (.464) and St. Louis third baseman Da’Sha Pitre (.767, 11 RBIs).

Outfielders are Aeriyl Mass (.563) of Barbe, Jayleen Lantier (.463) of Sulphur and her teammate Sami Billeaudeau (.381).

Rounding out the softball team as utility players are Myka Lester (.571, 21 RBIs) of Westlake, Sarah Johnson (.615, 19 RBIs) of Iota, Becca Fantroy (.615, 22 RBIs) of Iota, Maddie Pourciaux (.422) of Sam Houston and Colben Patin of Sulphur (.450).

From The American Press

By Warren Arceneaux / American Press

Hackberry’s softball team continued its dominance of Class C softball with its sixth consecutive state championship in 2016.

Photo courtesy - The American Press

Brianne Beard, Hackberry pitcher Small Schools MVP

Hackberry pitcher Brianne Beard is softball Player of the Year. She finished the season with an ERA of 1.71 while striking out 123 batters in 86 innings. Beard did not all an earned run in district play and hit .410 at the plate.

Softball coach of the year is Skip Pickle of Kinder, who led the Yellow Jackets to their first appearance in the Fast Pitch 56 state tournament since 2012. Kinder reached the quarterfinal round of the Class 2A playoffs and finished with a record of 22-3.

Joining Beard on the softball team are pitchers Sarah Gartman of Kinder (11-3, 2.22), Morghan LaTour (17-4, 0.70) of Rosepine and Sydnee McCall (14-7) of South Cameron. Catcher is Gracie Devall of Hackberry (.391, 32 RBIs).

Infielders are Alanna Arvie (.481) of Oberlin, Amy Chenevert of Vinton (.432, 24 runs, 9-3), Haylee Brinlee (.360, 16 RBIs) of Rosepine and Jeanne Trahan of Hackberry (.368, 10-4, 0.59 ERA).

Outfielders are Abby Trahan of Hackberry (.273, 24 SB, 36 runs), Hallie Boudreaux of Grand Lake (.525, 5 HR, 29 RBIs) and Shelby Labuff of Kinder (.500, 3 HR, 24 RBIs).

Utility players are Lauryn McMahon (.516, 4 HR) of Rosepine, Claire Heinen (7-2, 18 runs, 13 RBIs) of Vinton, Lexi-Jo DeBarge (.583) of South Cameron, Coryn Vincent (13-7, 11 RBIs) of Grand Lake and Blanche Beard of Hackberry (.412, 24 RBIs).

From NOLA.com

2016 NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune All-Metro Softball Team

Pitcher of the Year: Karli Perque - Cabrini, Senior

Photo by Joseph Halm - NOLA.com / The Times-Picayune

Pitcher of the Year: Karli Perque - Cabrini, Senior

Perque won 26 games for Crescants and led Cabrini to the LHSAA Class 4A state championship game.  On the season, Perque struck out 329 batters in 187 innings with an ERA of 0.93 while pitching five no-hitters. 

Player of the Year: Jordyn Perkins - Mount Carmel, Sophomore

Photo by Jim Derry - NOLA.com / The Times-Picayune

Player of the Year: Jordyn Perkins - Mount Carmel, Sophomore

In the 2016 season, Perkins had a tremendous impact on the Mount Carmel team while collecting a batting average of .523 with 8 home runs and 39 RBIs.  On the mound, Perkins had a 7-1 record with 53 strikeouts in 46 innings pitched.

Coach of the Year: Shannon Austin - Cabrini

Photo by Julie Boudwin - NOLA.com / The Times-Picayune

Coach of the Year: Shannon Austin - Cabrini

In her final season at Cabrini, Austin led the Crescents to a trip to the 2016 LHSAA Fast Pitch 56 State Softball Tournament in Sulphur and the 2016 LHSAA Class 4A state championship game.  In Coach Austin's tenure, Cabrini captured 7 district championship.  Coach Austin leaves Cabrini to spend more time with her husband, Ira (who was an assistant coach for the Crescents, and their four kids.

FIRST TEAM

Pitcher: Karli Perque - Cabrini, Senior

Pitcher: Hayley Barbazon - Belle Chasse, Senior

Pitcher: Krista Robles - Destrehan, Senior

Pitcher: Shelby Wickersham - Mount Carmel, Sophomore

Pitcher: Samantha Mracich - Chapelle, Senior

Pitcher: Brenae Bergeron - Fontainbleau, Junior

Catcher: Morgan Nobile - St. Charles Catholic, Senior

Infielder: Jordyn Perkins - Mount Carmel, Sophomore

Infielder: Sam Dares - Mount Carmel, Senior

Infielder: Payton Adams - John Curtis Christian, Senior

Infielder: Maeson Martindale - Hahnville, Senior

Infielder: Lindsey Osbon - Archbishop Hannan, Junior

Infielder: Christie Runnels - Cabrini, Junior

Outfielder: Toni Perrin - Riverside, Junior

Outfielder: Lexi Johnson - Riverside, 8th Grade

Outfielder: Pryscilla Prince - Hahnville, Junior

Outfielder: Cailey Folse - Academy of Our Lady, Junior

Utility: Toni Hebert - John Curtis Christian, Senior

Utility: Codi Vernace - Haynes, Junior

Utility: Brennan Bourgeois - Thomas Jefferson, Senior

Utility: Alyssa Dean - John Curtis Christian, Sophomore 

Utility: MeCollet Bradley - De La Salle, Sophomore

Utility: Riley DeLaval - St. Scholastica, Sophomore

Utility: Brittany Chetta - Pope John Paul II, Senior

Utility: Kaitlyn Dalferes - Lakeshore, Sophomore

Player of the Year: Jordyn Perkins - Mount Carmel, Sophomore

Pitcher of the Year: Karli Perque - Cabrini, Senior

Coach of the Year: Shannon Austin - Cabrini

Chart by Jim Derry, NOLA.com / The Times-Picayune 

FROM THE NEWS STAR

Offensive Player of the Year: Chelsea Fagan, Bastrop
Pitcher of the Year: Amber Coons, Neville
Coach of the Year: Trey Dozier, Neville

P Destiney Lilley, Ouachita
P Amber Coons, Neville
P Kara Goff, Ruston
P Britanny Hutton, West Ouachita
C Addison Roark, Ouachita
IF Alyssa Allen, Ouachita
IF Nikki Skerlong, Ouachita
IF Galen Brooks, Bastrop
IF Shelby Carlson, West Ouachita
OF Brister Curry, Ruston
OF Sierra Gasca, West Ouachita
OF Tia Coleman, Bastrop
UT Chelsea Fagan, Bastrop
UT Jordyn Manning, West Monroe
UT Emma Semmes, Neville

Honorable Mentions -- Tiya Randle (Ouachita), Tori Dennis (West Monroe), Briley Johnson (West Monroe), Amanda Shelby (Neville), Shelrika Bryant (Bastrop), Kenyshae Beasley (Bastrop), Jordie Wilhite (West Ouachita), Carlisha Manning (Union Parish), Curtessia Dean (Wossman).

When the excitement for the potential in a young roster meets the growing pains needed to reach that potential, patience is not the easiest of reactions – the next step for that young crop of players can mean so much for a program, it’s only natural to want to see it come as quickly as possible.

FROM THE NEWS STAR

By: Brett Hudson

Trey Dozier found – and even more impressive, kept – that patience in 2016, using a simple approach to send a lineup with seven underclassmen to Sulphur. Dozier has been named the All-NELA Big Schools Softball Coach of the Year.

“We worked all fall on the fundamentals and how to play the game,” Dozier said. “We knew if we made the routine play, the rest would take care of itself, and that’s pretty much how we looked at it all season. The great play will come, let’s just make the routine play.

“We had a stretch where we had a bunch of games where we couldn’t practice, so as soon as we got to the playoffs, we went back to the fundamentals. I think that showed when we played Leesville and a very good Benton team, we made the routine plays. The girls played within themselves, made the plays and that’s what got us into the semifinals.”

One of the team’s few upperclassmen – junior pitcher Amber Coons, the All-NELA Big Schools Softball Pitcher of the Year – could see the differences in Dozier coaching this team as opposed to previous ones.

“We were a very young team and he didn’t have another choice. It really made a difference,” Coons said. “We just broke it down a lot, took a lot of drills and really focused on the fundamentals.”

Dozier added, “They’re a pleasure to coach. I knew going into the season that this could be a special group and I’m very proud of those girls.”

The Lady Tigers gave Dozier reason to consider abandoning the simplistic approach – wins over West Ouachita, Bastrop and Mangham, all Fast Pitch 56 teams, for example – but he held onto the approach as a service to the team’s psyche.

“We didn’t talk about what they were achieving, we didn’t blow it out of the water. We didn’t talk about power rankings, we didn’t talk about beating this team or whatever, we didn’t play anything up or down when they achieved something. We kept an even keel all year,” Dozier said. “The girls have never been in this kind of situation before; we don’t have a lot of travel ball girls, we have a lot of girls that came up through the Monroe Youth Softball Association, so they’ve never been in a situation like they were this year. We didn’t want to make the expectation that great, just fundamental softball.”

That being said, that next step begins now: after two straight trips to Sulphur, the most recent ending in a semifinals appearance, the expectations on the young players that now have a year of experience are heightened.

“We know that we have to step it up a notch next year. We know the bar has been set and everybody is looking for big things out of us,” Dozier said. “We have to make it a little bit more challenging for the girls and hopefully they’ll respond to that.

“When we get a chance to play somebody tough, we need to come out big. The girls have a taste of what it’s like to be in the state tournament; they have to want a little more, just like us coaches, to go ahead and finish the deal and be that first state champion that Neville has.”

Courtesy photo by Tracy Coons

Neville's Trey Dozier has been named the All-NELA Big Schools Softball Coach of the Year.

FROM THE NEWS STAR

Hannah Baldwin/The News-Star

Bastrop High School's Chelsea Fagan was named All-NELA Big Schools Offensive Player of the Year.

By: Brett Hudson

The physical tools and mechanics of her game remained more or less the same, yet Bastrop softball coach Jennifer Hickman saw something drastically different in her catcher, Chelsea Fagan.

“She cared about what happened this year more than anything,” Hickman said. “Last year, it was more of a, ‘Hey, I’m just playing softball,’ kind of thing, but this year, every game meant something to her. Every play, you could tell it had an effect on her.”

Fagan credits that – and the eye-popping season that followed – to her status as a senior.

“This was my senior year, there was a possibility of me never setting foot on a softball field again,” she said. “I worked harder this year, I developed a new attitude about the game.”

Fagan’s new-and-improved attitude drove her to a .441 batting average with almost unheard of power – five doubles, two triples, 14 home runs and 58 RBIs for a slugging percentage of .941 – to earn her the All-NELA Big Schools Softball Offensive Player of the Year honors.

“Chelsea has always had the physical part of the game, but she lacked the mental parts of the game; this year, she turned her mental aspects of the game around a whole 360,” Hickman said. “She was tougher mentally. Putting her mental and physical toughness helped her produce bigger numbers than she already had before.”

Fagan added, “I learned the definition of a team this year. When you’re on a team, the next person defines who you are; when they’re down, you have to pick them up because you don’t want to be down. If they’re happy and in high spirits, you’re happy and in high spirits.”

Fagan was part of a sizable senior class that took on the same mindset, Fagan saying the team would often go to church together or have sleepovers throughout the season.

As for Fagan’s softball career, it may not be over – Hickman said Fagan, a dedicated student is going to LSU to major in biology but has had conversations with LSU coach Beth Torino about trying out for a walk-on spot. As she goes into the tryout, she takes with her a firm grasp on the fundamentals and a growing skillset as a defensive catcher.

“I worked on the fundamentals more. I think my power came more from the fundamentals than my physical strength,” Fagan said.

Hickman added, “When I first got here, she wasn’t a catcher at all, but I didn’t have a catcher and I made her a catcher her sophomore year. She was a standout person back there, she changed the game for us behind the plate.”

From The News Star 

Photo by Hannah Baldwin / The News Star

Neville junior pitcher Amber Coons was selected the All-NELA Big Schools Pitcher of the Year.

By: Brett Hudson -

Amber Coons spent an entire season on spin, speed and spots; as she puts it, “If you can spin the ball fast at a spot, then you’ll be good.”

Neville softball’s pitching ace had all three in 2016: in just under 160 innings, the junior struck out 284 batters for a 2.017 earned run average and a 0.858 WHIP (walks and hits per innings pitched), leading the Tigers to the 4A semifinals as she went with a 15-3 record. For that, Coons was named the All-NELA Big School Softball Pitcher of the Year.

“Amber’s worked her tail off,” Neville coach Trey Dozier said. “She worked all summer playing for the Patriots travel ball team to have a good junior outing and she’s already started working to have a great senior year, too.”

Over that transformative summer of 2015, Coons played with a Marucci team out of Baton Rouge that put her up against some of the nation’s best young softball talent on the West Coast, playing tournaments in places like Huntington Beach, California, and Hillsboro, Oregon, where Coons’ team finished second in the nation. As Dozier put it, “She’s played against girls that have D-1 scholarships,” giving him no reservation to put her up against the rigorous District 2-4A schedule.

“She’s going to see the best out of every team we play,” Dozier said. “That’s just like Neville being in the state tournament three out of the last four years, we know everybody knows who Neville is now and we’re going to get their best every time we step out on that field.”

The bad news for 4A teams throughout the state is they have one more year of Coons in the circle to deal with – an improved version at that, as Coons plans to spend this summer honing her changeup.

“This year, I didn’t have it polished,” Coons said, “but by next spring I’ll definitely have it.”

Follow Brett on Twitter, @BHudsonTNS, and like his Facebook page.

From The News Star

By: Brett Hudson

Offensive Player of the Year: Drew Bennett, Oak Grove
Pitcher of the Year: Mary Terral, Cedar Creek
Coach of the Year: Scott Wilcher, Mangham

FIRST TEAM

P Mary Terral, Cedar Creek
P Kaylon Cory, Claiborne Christian
P LeAnn Franks, Mangham
P Sarah Dugan, Oak Grove
C Graycen Dye, Mangham
IF Drew Bennett, Oak Grove
IF Dakota Helmer, Forest
IF Lauren Petrus, St. Frederick
IF Baylee Hutchinson, Delhi Charter
OF Katelin Cooper, Cedar Creek
OF Abby Cook, Oak Grove
OF Kennedy Heisler, Mangham
UT Anna Larr Roberson, Cedar Creek
UT Caroline Smith, Weston
UT Maggie Watts, Simsboro

Honorable Mentions -- Tanner Wilson (Sterlington), Kaela Mullins (Sterlington), Katie Cobb (Ouachita Christian), Rachel Newcomb (Ouachita Christian), Carlye Rothschild (Ouachita Christian), Lauren Nobles (Mangham), Kara Wilcher (Mangham), Arrin Dye (Mangham), Alli Freeman (Cedar Creek), Kasadee Armfield (Beekman Charter), Bailey Barham (St. Frederick), Cecilia Akin (Weston), Madison Terdin (Weston), Kamryn Searcy (Weston), Kaylee Brackin (Forest), Allison Irby (Forest), Kinley Bradford (Forest), Bailey Ishee (Claiborne Christian), Emma Richardson (Claiborne Christian), Shelby Smith (FCCS), Caitlin Jones (FCCS), Haela Fife (Kilbourne).

--In the offensive player of the year conversation, Forest's Dakota Helmer and Cedar Creek's Katelin Cooper had pretty good cases for this award, too.

--There were several coaches that took young teams far and/or all the way to Sulphur this season, but I think it's safe to say no one did it against a tougher schedule than Scott Wilcher did. Against a schedule like that with that record (plus, you know, the whole making school history thing), that's what was the deciding factor in his Coach of the Year honor.

--The outfield and the pitching staff filled itself pretty quickly, which gave me a false sense of hope in putting together this team: I found myself with three spots left, one on the infield and two utility spots, and seven players that had what I considered to be All-NELA seasons. If I had a second team, Bailey Barham (St. Frederick), Kaylee Brackin (Forest), Bailey Ishee (Claiborne Christian) and Katie Cobb (Ouachita Christian) getting their spots would have been the first thing I did.

From The News Star

By: Brett Hudson

Photo by Hannah Baldwin / The News Star

ALL-NELA MVP: Drew Bennett - Oak Grove, Senior

Drew Bennett’s desire to hit is not based on a desire for success or individual accolades – her desire for contact borders on vital. So much so that when opposing teams grew to fear her bat and stopped giving her pitches to hit, she kept swinging anyway.

In time, she proved her value goes beyond her bat.

In addition to no committing an error in the field all season, Bennett began to take walks to the tune of .630 on-base percentage and went a perfect 34-for-34 in stolen base attempts; when opposing teams grew tired of seeing her reach second in that method and reopened the strike zone, she hit .589 with a .849 slugging percentage on 14 double, one triple and one home run while driving in 36 runs. For that senior season, Bennett was named the All-NELA Small Schools Softball Offensive Player of the Year.

“When I started not getting to hit, I just thought, ‘Oh my God, I have to hit.’ That’s when I started swinging at bad stuff, and that just made it worse. It made me real mad.”

Oak Grove coach and Drew’s father Trey Bennett added, “She’s not one of those kids that’s going to work the count. If she sees a pitch she thinks she can square up real well, she’s going to be aggressive with it.”

Her times of being avoided were trying – given her trademark aggression at the plate, being happy about stepping into the batter’s box knowing a walk is the likely result is easier said than done. After several talks that coach-player/father-daughter conversations, Drew Bennett began to accept this new normal and wait for it to end.

“They were throwing me trash pitches, and I was swinging at them because I wanted to hit. I started walking every game, I was walking every time I came up to bat,” Drew Bennett said. “He would just tell me that they’re doing it on purpose and that I have to be more patient, calm down. I had too much pressure on me; I was thinking I just have to hit it.

“I’ll get in the box, think way too much and swing at something that’s two miles over my head. When I was getting pitched around, I’d want to hit it so bad I’d swing at anything just to swing.”

In that time, Drew Bennett’s base-stealing prowess signed – despite the fact that she was rarely told to steal by her coach. She worked off of a tentative steal call, in which she has the freedom to run if she sees the ball going low of the zone or in the dirt, thus making it a tough play for the catcher to block the ball and throw Bennett out at second.

“The only time he gave me the steal sign is when we do a steal-and-run, when a girl’s on third and we’re trying to get her to run. The other times, I just went by myself,” Drew Bennett said.

Trey Bennett added, “She reads the ball real well and she’s pretty aggressive. I think it’s her experience from being on the field for so long.”

That experience also taught Drew Bennett to stay away from her statistics in the midst of her incredible senior season. She knew when she was on a roll, but never went out of her way to view the stats – she didn’t want that knowledge to impact her performance.

“We don’t make a real big deal of it,” Trey Bennett said of statistics, even those as gaudy as his daughter’s. “We put it out there on MaxPreps, but we don’t really discuss that a whole lot at practice or in team meetings.”

From The News Star

By: Brett Hudson

Photo by Hannah Baldwin / The News Star

ALL-NELA Small School Pitcher of the Year Mary Terrel Junior - Cedar Creek

Class 1A teams got to know the kind of pitcher Mary Terral was in 2015, learning then the trouble she posed for any lineup they attempted to pit against her; what none of them had seen to that point was Terral pitching while unencumbered by injury.

Terral pitched the 2015 Cedar Creek Lady Cougars to the 1A state championship game on a torn ACL, setting a standard of excellence that earned her postseason honors and, later that fall, an offer to play softball for Ole Miss. As 2016 proved, a healthy Terral is just as good.

On a healthy knee as a junior, Terral pitched Cedar Creek to the 1A semifinals on a 20-8 record with a 2.84 earned run average, plus a .489 batting average as a hitter with eight home runs and 31 RBIs. For that, Terral was named the All-NELA Small Schools Softball Pitcher of the Year for the second time in as many years.

“There was not near as much pain,” Terral said of pitching without an injury. “I fixed the dragging toe issue, it was just so much easier. It was hard to keep all my weight on my right leg last year because of my ACL, and since that’s my dragging leg, I cro-hopped. This year, I had no problems.

“I could last a lot longer. My legs didn’t get tired, my knees didn’t hurt as bad. It was just so much better than last year.”

In pitching without an injury, Terral also saw her velocity stay more consistent throughout games and entered the season in better shape, given more freedom to run on her own before the season.

Her continued health also helped her to lead the Lady Cougars in batting average while finishing tied for second in home runs and third in RBIs. Terral continues to hope to add baserunning to her offensive exploits, although she does not expect to be given that freedom.

“I like running. I beg (Cedar Creek coach Julie Riser) to let me run,” Terral said. “That’s how my tore my ACL last year, so she says, ‘That’s a definite no.’”

While baserunning seems like an out-of-reach goal for the 2016 season, Terral seems convinced a state championship is not out of reach. After leading the Lady Cougars to Sulphur in each of the last two seasons, she is even more ready to take the Lady Cougars’ numerous returners back in 2016 and return with the championship.

From The Shreveport Times

By: Jimmy Watson

2016 SHREVEPORT TIMES ALL-AREA SOFTBALL TEAM

From The News Star

Photo by Jimmy Touchet / The News Star

ALL-NELA Small Schools Coach of the Year Scott Wilcher - Mangham

By: Brett Hudson

With no results to indicate this fact, it’s worth a reminder that Scott Wilcher is still learning the sport in which he is coaching a state championship contender.

Three years ago, Wilcher made the switch from coaching Mangham baseball to Mangham softball – the two fields are just across the street from one another, but the coaching repertoire required to coach the two are figurative miles apart. Wilcher has bridged those miles with no noticeable dip in results.

Coming off of two straight trips to Sulphur as a 1A team, the Lady Dragons moved up to 2A this season and made the school’s first trip to the Fast Pitch 56 in that classification on a 22-11 record. For that, Wilcher was named the All-NELA Small Schools Softball Coach of the Year.

“It’s a work in progress, it takes a little time,” Wilcher said. “Over in baseball, it took us about seven or eight years before we were able to win a state championship. We were able to play for it in ’07 and ’09 but didn’t win it, so it took us a little time to get to that point, and hopefully we’re getting there now.

“We definitely want to go farther than what we did last year to the point where we can play for the state championship.”

While he works to further his softball program, Wilcher is furthering his own skillset as a softball coach, even midway through the 2016 season.

“Early in the season, I learned a little bit out being too stressed out for ball games,” Wilcher said. “Girls get ready for ball games different than boys do: they’re more relaxed, more loose, more dancing around and cheering and that kind of thing. Midway through the season, I got accustomed to that.

“The other thing is, I turned some duties over to my assistant coach Susie Mullins with the pitching staff. That allowed me to relieve some stress and get my hands into some other stuff, and she did a tremendous job with our pitching staff. I couldn’t have asked for more. We have a lot of things to look forward to now that we have that ironed out.”

Mangham got to the 2A quarterfinals this season by beating St. Charles Catholic in the quarterfinals, handing the Comets their first loss at home in 2016. That playoff ran came after a regular season schedule that could have been the most challenging among local small schools, playing above its 2A classification roughly 20 times and winning half of those games.

“Looking back now that the season is over with and looking at the schedule we played, I think we probably overachieved, and that’s a testament to our coaches, especially my assistant coaches: Susie Mullins, Johnathon Hoggatt and Miranda Smart,” Wilcher said.

That being said, Wilcher knows the expectation for his – and any – athletic program at Mangham is to compete for a state championship. Until then, Wilcher and the Lady Dragons will continue to grow.

From The Town Talk

2016 ALL-CENLA SOFTBALL TEAM

Photo: Melinda Martinez/The Town Talk

All-CENLA MVP: Jensen Howell

Junior - Holy Savior Menard

FIRST TEAM

Pitchers

Jensen Howell, Jr., Menard — After sharing the All-Cenla co-MVP honors last year, Howell took over as Menard's sole ace this and did not miss a beat with an 21-3 record, a 1.60 ERA and 240 strikeouts. The Ole Miss commit also was a terror from the plate with a .384 batting average to go along with eight home runs and 32 RBI

Carrie Boswell, Jr., ASH — The UL Lafayette commit returns to the All-Cenla first team after winning MVP honors in her district and in the 5A title game. Boswell went 18-2 and recorded a 1.49 ERA, while batting .443 with nine home runs and 36 RBI.

Morghan LaTour, Jr., Rosepine — LaTour rounds out the list of dominating junior pitcher after going 18-5 with a 1.18 ERA and an-area best 284 strikeouts. The MVP in 3-2A hurled six no-hitters this season and allowed just seven runs in a district that had every team make the playoffs.

Catcher

Shae Schreckengost, Sr., Buckeye — "Schreck" locked up the All-Cenla first team catcher's spot in a huge way this season, with 11 home runs and 36 RBI. The UL Lafayette signee also batted .536 en route to being named the MVP of District 3-3A.

First Baseman

Braegan Burlew, Sr., Jena — Possessing speed and power, Burlew was a home run shy of the 10-10 club and had a stat line of .494 with 9 home runs, 38 RBI, 31 runs scored and 12 stolen bases. She helped the Lady Giants return to Sulphur and earn a share of the 3-3A title.

Second Baseman

Morgan Woodard, Jr., Menard — The Lady Eagles are a small ball lineup for the most part, but that allowed their cleanup hitter drove in the most runs on the team with 34 RBI. Batting .404, Woodard also had 19 extra-base hits — 11 doubles, four triples and four home runs.

Third Baseman

Briahna Bennett, So., ASH — While Bennett was stellar as the Lady Trojans’ No. 2 pitcher by going 12-2 and picking up a win against Central of Baton Rouge in the 5A quarterfinals, she was a great batter by smacking 13 home runs, including one in the championship game. She also led ASH with 38 RBI's and slugged .810.

Shortstop

Taryn Antoine, Jr., ASH — An All-Cenla second teamer last year, the LSU commit batted around .484 all season from the leadoff spot and was deadly with her speed by swiping 26 bags. Against East Ascension in the second round, her seventh inning triple led into the game tying run and kept the Lady Trojans' title hopes alive.

Outfielders

Kelsey Bradford, Sr., Jena — As Jena's leadoff batter, Bradford batted .527, scored 44 runs and stole 19 bases, but also hit six home runs to return to the All-Cenla first team. She also possessed a good batter's eye after striking out just four times in 102 plate appearances.

Rebecca Martin, Sr., Pineville — The senior leadoff hitter led the Lady Rebels with a .381 batting average, 43 hits and 30 runs scored after helping them return to Sulphur. She also showed off her clutch hitting in the LHSCA/LSCA All-Star game, with a two-run double to help the East term earn a 10-8 win.

Maddy Matt, Sr., St. Mary's — The Northwestern State signee led the Lady Tigers to their first Class 1A championship game with her hitting and baserunning and it showed with her 3-run game-tying HR against Hanson in the Class 1A quarterfinals. Matt batted .610 BA, with 40 runs scored and 33 steals, while not committing an error.

Utility

Cheyanne Guillory, Sr., Rapides — Sometimes, just one player can change the fortunes of a program and Guillory was exactly that, having her jersey retired in the process. In a brutal district where all seven teams made the playoffs the Louisiana College signee still was able to help Rapides earn its first home playoff game by batting .524 with 34 RBI, 34 runs scored and 20 stolen bases.

Designated Player

Lauryn McMahon, Jr., Rosepine — McMahon formed a great 1-2 punch with LaTour and was the best all-around hitter for Rosepine this season. Her stat line of .481, seven home runs and 35 RBI led the Lady Eagles.

SECOND TEAM

Pitchers

Abby Robertson, Jr., Pineville — Robertson caught fire at the end of the season, with a 12-2 record in her last 14 games to finish with an 18-9 record on the season. She also recorded a 2.07 ERA on the season and fanned 183 batters in 175.2 innings pitched.

Caroline Settle, Sr., Many — With Howell and LaTour grabbing headlines in 3-2A, Settle was just as tough with a 16-7 record and a 1.08 ERA during the season. The McNeese signee also smacked two home runs from the plate, along with a solo blast in the LHSCA/LSCA All-Star game.

Madelyn Phillips, Fr., Leesville — Phillips burst onto the scene to help them reach the LHSAA Fast Pitch 56 by winning the 3-4A MVP award and recording a 0.65 ERA in district play. Phillips also hit seven home runs in 10 district games and went 21-7 in the season.

Catchers

Ella Manzer, Jr., ASH — The Southeastern Louisiana commit may not have had as much pop in her bat like she did last year, but she still played a big role as the Lady Trojans’ No. 5 hitter with a .330 average and six home runs.

First Baseman

Summer Atkins, Jr., Pickering — The Lady Devil first baseman batted .500 and also knocked the cover off of the ball with eight home runs and 43 RBIs as Pickering made the Class 2A playoffs.

Second Baseman

Lauren Fowler, Sr., Bolton — The Lady Bears second baseman ended the year on an 11-game hitting streak and had a pair of multi-home run games to highlight a .488, eight home runs and 31 RBI campaign.

Third Baseman

Maddie Smith, Jr., Menard — A tremendous slap hitter with a .421 batting average, she made the All-District team as a utility players and is one of of the best defensive third basemen in the area.

Shortstop

Alexis Hagan, Sr., Leesville — Hagan played in the LHSCA/LSCA All-Star doubleheader and batted .471 in district play, while making the District 3-4A team.

Outfielders

Caroline Manzer, So., ASH — While her sister, Ella, is a power hitter, Caroline hits for average and had a three-hit game in the Class 5A finals. As ASH's No. 2 hitter, Manzer recorded 24 RBI and scored 31 runs.

Keyana "KeKe" Poteat, Fr., Leesville — The Lady Cats will be good for years to come with Poteat providing offense for Phillips during the next three years. Poteat hit seven home runs doing the season, while hitting .433 in district play.

Ali Long, Sr., LaSalle — Long caught fire in the playoffs with three home runs and six RBI, but was very patient in the season by only striking out five times and drawing 16 walks. She hit .443, with eight home runs, 32 RBI and 48 runs scored.

Utility

Nikki Jarrell, Sr., Oak Hill — Jarrell was not only excellent in the circle (21-5, 216 K and 1.22 ERA), but she was also a good hitter with by batting .400, with 11 2B, 11 home runs and 42 RBI.

Designated Player

Alexis Blackwell, Sr., LaSalle — The top RBI producer for the Lady Tigers, she had a power surge to close the year with four home runs and 12 RBI in the three games before Sulphur. LaSalle had seven players with 20 or more RBIs and Blackwell led the way with 44 RBI.

HONORABLE MENTION

Pitchers: Meghan Cumming, Tioga; Destiny Williams, Bolton; Breanna Brown, Buckeye; Anna Beth Johnson, Winnfield; Ashleigh Caruso, Rapides; Megan Laird, LaSalle; Keeley Parham, LaSalle; Laryn Graves, Mongomery; Meredith Matt, St. Mary's; Jewel Sharbeno, Evans; Kandis Truelove, Georgetown; Madison Pippen, Plainview; Klaire Haymon, Faith Training; Lauren Rachel, University Academy; Korie Kreps, Anacoco.

Catchers: Allie Williams, Pineville; Hannah Vercher, Montgomery; Alexis Barker, St. Joe's; Sydney Sons, Hornbeck; Maggie Willis, Rapides.

Infielders: Maddie Evers, Pineville; Sabrina Thiels, ASH; Ashley Welch, ASH; Kylee Grounds, Tioga; Haylee Brinlee, Rosepine; Desiree Squires, Rosepine; Ashley Seeser, Menard; Ragan Hale, St. Mary's; Summer Miller, Oak Hill; Anna Etheridge, Oak Hill; Tiffany Knight, St. Joe's; Brittney Taylor, St. Joe's; Kristin McQuillin, NCHS; Taylor Sturm, Leesville; Zakayla Collins, Leesville; Ryleigh Hicks, Leesville; Alyssa Coleman, Grant; Carlee Carter, Grant; Jada Swafford, University Academy; Leighanne Ayres, Montgomery.

Outfielders: Jade Fields, Tioga; Rebecca Shepphard, Buckeye; Abby Gwinn, Menard; Alaina Parham, LaSalle; Tori Carroll, Oak Hill; Brooke Lincecum, Georgetown; Taylor Mason, Anacoco; Alex Harrison, Plainview.

From the advocate

BY ROBIN FAMBROUGH|

RFAMBROUGH@THEADVOCATE.COM

Advocate staff photo by HEATHER MCCLELLAND -- St. Amant's Kara Gremillion

Outstanding Player: Kara Gremillion

St. Amant, Sr.

Gremillion, a repeat MVP, was even better at the plate in her final season, batting .584 with an eye-popping .989 slugging percentage and .645 on-base percentage. The state’s Gatorade Player of the Year and District 5-5A MVP also had 12 doubles, six homers drove in 36 runs and stole 15 bases. She helped the top-seeded Gators to a 27-1 record and the state semifinals.

Coach of the Year: Nancy Ensminger

Dutchtown

In her ninth season, Ensminger guided Dutchtown to a Class 5A state runners-up finish after a third-place tie in the District 5-5A race. The Griffins won 9 of their last 10 games to reach the state title game, concluding the season with a 26-9 record.

PITCHERS

Gabby Sharp / St. Amant

Excelled in lead role for first time, compiling 24-1 record, 1.75 ERA and 103 strikeouts.

Ali M c C oy / Dutchtown

Workhorse in Griffins’ state runners-up season with 26-9 record, 1.77 ERA and 247 strikeouts.

Baylie Doiron / Zachary

Helped the Broncos’ run to state tournament with 19-12 record, 2.02 ERA and 183 strikeouts.

Jessie Watts/East Ascension

Pitched Spartans to state semifinals with 23-8 record and 173 strikeouts.

CATCHERs

Bria White / Dutchtown

Produced a .340 average and drove in 23 runs for the 5A runners-up.

Jaden Accardo / Denham Springs

Dangerous hitter with .380 average, .684 slugging percentage and 35 RBIs.

INFIELDERS

Kourtney Gremillion / St. Amant

Played first base and batted .540 with 9 homers and 39 RBIs. Had 1.011 slugging percentage.

Gisselle Ash/Live Oak

Third baseman batted .549 batting with .931 slugging percentage. Drove in 47 runs for Eagles.

Claire Weinberger / East Ascension

Anchored EA’s infield at shortstop; batted .582 with 28 RBIs and 15 stolen bases.

OUTFIELDERS

Abby McKey/St. Amant

Left fielder with .429 average, .780 slugging percentage and .475 on-base percentage.

Corynn Major/St. Joseph

Versatile center fielder that hit for average (.444), scored runs (22) and used her speed (32 steals).

Brittany Case/Denham Springs

One of the area’s top hitters with a .588 average, .818 slugging percentage and 21 RBIs.

Harli Crow/Denham Springs

Center fielder batted .385 with .521 slugging percentage, 25 RBIs and .944 fielding percentage.

UTILITY

Kaitlyn Thompson/Denham Springs

Third baseman batted .476 with .771 slugging and .529 on-base percentage. Had 44 RBIs.

Taylor Tidwell/St. Joseph

Second baseman had .440 batting average and .744 slugging percentage. Drove in 47 runs.

Elyse Thornhill/St. Joseph

Produced big offensive numbers from shortstop position, batting .531 with .827 slugging percentage, .636 on-base. Also stole 38 bases.

Lauren Brown/ Live Oak

Played shortstop and batted .505 with 16 RBIs and 26 stolen bases for the District 4-5A champs.

Amanda Holliday/ Live Oak

A versatile performer who hit .477 with 22 RBIs and was 14-3 with 1.30 ERA and 140 strikeouts.

Hope Vezinat/ Dutchtown

Third baseman hit .339 with .634 slugging percentage and 27 RBIs.

SECOND TEAM

Pitchers: Holley Morrison, Denham Springs; Emily Danehower, Central, Mallory Perrault, Plaquemine

Catcher: Taylor Trabeaux, St. Amant

Infielders: Pamela Carbo, St. Amant; Emily Labatut, St. Joseph; Hannah Dixon, Zachary; Kameryn Fairchild, Plaquemine

Outfielders: Bailey Gilleon, Dutchtown; Abby Lewis, Zachary; Verlencia Jackson, East Ascension; Mattie Ort, Walker

Utility: Mia Johnson, Plaquemine; Jadyn Rumfellow, St. Amant; Kristyn Fairchild, Plaquemine; Lakyn Wales, Zachary; Heidi Zumo, Central; Samantha Herrera, Tara

Team selected by area coaches

FROM THE ADVOCATE

BY ROBIN FAMBROUGH|

RFAMBROUGH@THEADVOCATE.COM

Advocate staff photo by HEATHER MCCLELLAND -- Parkview Baptist shortstop Nicky Dawson is the Most Outstanding Player for The Advocate's All-Metro softball team for Classes 3A and lower.

Outstanding Player: Nicky Dawson

Parkview Baptist, Jr.

Enjoyed spectacular all-around season, leading Eagles to 26-9 record and Class 3A state semifinals. The junior batted .609 with 1.030 slugging percentage and .602 on-base percentage. She drove in 41 runs and had 59 stolen bases. Was also dynamic in field at shortstop with .950 fielding percentage.

CoachES of the Year: Beau Bouvier, Brusly; LAUREN DOUCET, Catholic-Pointe Coupee

Bouvier guided Brusly to 22-12 overall record, undefeated District 7-3A championship and berth in Class 3A state semifinals. Doucet led Catholic-PC to 22-5 mark, unblemished District 5-1A title and Class 1A state semifinals.

PITCHERS

Camryn Comeaux / Brusly

Finished with an 11-5 record, 3.00 ERA and 135 strikeouts for the Class 3A semifinalists.

Julia Beck / Ascension Catholic

Had a 19-3 record with 1.23 ERA and struck out 229 batters for the Class 1A quarterfinalists.

Ryann Bizette / Catholic-Pointe Coupee

Played big role for Hornets with 24-2 record. 0.77 ERA and 182 strikeouts.

Anna Bordelon / Parkview Baptist

Finished with a 16-7 record, 2.50 ERA and struck out 111 while helping the Eagles to the 3A quarterfinals.

CATCHERs

Kaitlin David / Brusly

Team leader with .465 average, .733 slugging percentage and 24 RBIs.

Claire Roy / Catholic-Pointe Coupee

Batted .417 with a .556 slugging percentage and 11 RBIs as CHSPC made the 1A semifinalists.

INFIELDERS

Maddie LaPrarie / Brusly

Shortstop with .354 average, .524 slugging percentage, 20 RBIs and 21 stolen bases.

Lexie Dautel / Parkview Baptist

Second baseman batted .464 with a .616 slugging percentage and also had 50 RBIs for the Eagles.

Savannah Adams/Parkview Baptist

Batted .355 with a .579 slugging percentage, 32 RBIs and played first base for Class 3A PBS.

OUTFIELDERS

Akiya Thymes / Brusly

Team’s catalyst batted .470 with .537 on-base percentage. Stole 45 bases and drove in 28 runs.

Amanda Bueche/Catholic-Pointe Coupee

Registered a .391 average with a .621 slugging percentage while driving in 29 runs.

Morgan Acosta / Parkview Baptist

Center fielder who batted second in lineup produced .462 average for the 3A quarterfinalists.

UTILITY

Karli David / Brusly

First baseman with .400 average, .556 slugging percentage and 19 RBIs.

Kyana Thymes / Brusly

Versatile third baseman batted .380, drove in 18 runs and stole 24 bases for the Panthers.

Savannah Lejeune / Catholic-Pointe Coupee

Third baseman batted .487 with .750 slugging percentage. Also had 20 RBIs.

Blaire Bass/ Catholic-Pointe Coupee

Played shortstop and batted .474, had a .803 slugging percentage with 18 RBIs and 18 stolen bases.

Christy Brown/ Episcopal

Enjoyed standout season batting .620, 1.155 slugging percentage and 39 RBIs for the 2A Knights.

Caroline Counts/ Episcopal

Batted .579 with .895 slugging percentage to go along with 29 RBIs for the 6-2A champions.

Hailey Weems/ Parkview Baptist

Served as team’s catcher and batted .323 with .443 on-base percentage and 23 RBIs.

SECOND TEAM

Pitcher: Kyndal Guillory, St. John

Infielders: Ariana Cipriano, Brusly; Grace Acosta, St. John; Kaylee Sadden, St. John

Outfielders: Jonette Fitzgerald, Brusly; Raeshaun Malancon, Ascension Catholic; Aimee Prejeant, Ascension Catholic; Keri Yarbrough, St. John

Utility: Elizabeth Root, Episcopal

Team selected by area coaches