SULPHUR -- It was not to be for the Sacred Heart Lady Trojans as they were ousted from the Division IV playoffs here Thursday afternoon after falling 14-0 to the Cedar Creek Lady Cougars in the quarter-finals of the All-State/Sugar Bowl LHSAA State Softball Tournament.
With the loss, the Lady Trojans finish the year at 13-13.
“Obviously Cedar Creek is good being they are the defending state champions,” stated Sacred Heart head coach Megan Granger. “We were excited to be able to get that far. We had our struggles at the start of the season, but to work our way to the tournament is a big accomplishment.”
“Even though we lost by such a big score, I think the girls had fun during the game and that is the most important thing,” Granger continued. “I knew coming into the season we had some young talent and my expectations were for us to make it to the tournament. We accomplished that and more. The future is bright. We only lose one senior and will have almost the entire team back next season.”
The game could probably be summarized with the very first inning of play. After getting the Lady Trojans up and down in order, the Lady Cougars went to work on offense.
Katelin Cooper led off with a single in the bottom half of the inning. Cooper then stole second base and two passed balls later, she was in for the first run of the game. An Alli Freeman strike out was followed by an intentional walk issued to Anna Roberson.
Lauren Mezina lined out to short stop for the second out. But, Lillian Soto blasted a two-run home run over the left field wall for a 3-0 Cedar Creek lead.
Sacred Heart threatened in the top of the second inning when Tobie Landry reached on a walk and moved to second on an error with Lauren Shipp at the plate. The two base runners moved up a base on a passed ball. However, the Lady Cougars snuffed out the threat and held the Lady Trojans scoreless.
Cedar Creek picked up two more runs in the second and four more runs in the third inning to go up 9-0.
Sacred Heart put runners at first and second in the top of the fourth, but once again failed to push runs across.
After the game, Granger talked about her only senior on the team, Natalie LeBas.
“Nat was definitely our best leader on the team,” said Granger. “She came hear as a freshman and got to come back as a senior. I am very proud of her and I only wish her success in the future.”
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TRACEY JAGNEAUX