We are the champions!
For the sixth time in the history of its participation in Dixie Youth League baseball, Ville Platte’s undefeated 11 and 12-year-old All Stars reign as state champions.
Manager J.F. “Black” Lafleur Jr.’s stars laid claim to that honor last Thursday night in Patterson with a 4-0 victory over host Berwick. And it sent coaches, parents, and fans alike scrambling to make arrangements for the Aug. 19 Disxie Youth World Series set for Fayetteville, N.C.
There they will join 10 other state champions plus the host Fayetteville team.
No doubt the Aug. 19 tourney start-up date will cause some problems since it is also the first day of school for Evangeline Parish.
However, such hurdles will no doubt be cleared as Ville Platte makes its first return trip to the Dixie Youth World Series since last winning the Louisiana state crown in 1979.
This version of the All-Stars features an awesome pitching staff which shutout four of its five state tournament opponents, and nine of 12 playoff opponents. They have unbelievably outscored their foes 91-6.
One of those shutouts came in the finals when they blanked Berwick 4-0, the same team they have beaten 6-0 in the tourney opener.
Phillip Ardoin went the distance on the mound and hurled a one-hitter in picking up the victory. He fanned seven Berwick batters and walked only four. And he was backed up by a flawless defense which did not commit an error.
Meanwhile the locals collected eight hits from seven batters. Cody Vidrine had two singles, and Eric Poullard had a double. Spencer Manuel, Johnny Fontenot, Kevin Perry, Alex Cantu, and Phillip Ardoin each rapped out singles.
Ville Platte scored one run in the second inning, upped it to 2-0 in the fifth, and then capped off their championship effort with a pair of runs in the sixth and final inning.
VP all-stars win 6th state title
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