The Pine Prairie softball team finally got to taste victory.
After having the season delayed due to COVID-19 restrictions, Pine Prairie got on the field earlier this week with a game at Class 5A opponent Southside High. The Panthers was unable to open up the season with a victory as they fell to the Sharks 7-6.
Pine Prairie then had its District 5-3A opener against Mamou postponed due to the severe weather that occurred through the area on Wednesday. Pine Prairie would get that win on Thursday with a 8-4 win over Iota.
"It feels great to have a win under our belt and be back in the game after being out for four weeks," Pine Prairie softball coach Alycia Hebert said. "That said, we are taking one game at a time and looking forward to our next opponent."
Pine Prairie jumped out to an early lead by batting through the order and scoring six runs in the first inning on Thursday.
Pine Prairie would add one more run in the third and the fourth.
"The key to Thursday's win was coming out and knowing that we were there to do a job and that we needed to come out wide open to get ahead and stay ahead," Hebert said. "We were prepared."
It just wasn't the hitting that impressed Hebert, as the pitching and defense were solid.
"The pitching was great and definitely kept them on their toes," Hebert said. "Senior Brianna Wall has really set the tone with her dominant presence on the mound while knowing she has a solid defense behind her."
The aspect of Thursday's game which stood out even more than the run production and Wall's pitching was the mindset the Panthers possess, especially after such a rough start to the season.
"I was very pleased with our team as they were united yesterday and never let up," Hebert said. "Since we are behind in the season we have to take advantage of every opportunity possible."
Sacred Heart
After starting the week with a 22-0 win over Breaux Bridge, Sacred Heart suffered back-to-back losses to Opelousas Catholic and Notre Dame.
Sacred Heart lost a tough game in the District 5-1A opener against OC, as the Trojans fell to the Vikings 6-5. Sacred Heart went on the road on Thursday and fell 13-3 at Notre Dame.
With the pair of defeats, Sacred Heart dropped to 11-5 overall and 0-1 in district play.
Mamou
The Mamou Green Demons had both of their District 5-3A games wiped out this week.
Mamou was scheduled to play at Pine Prairie on Wednesday but the severe storm system that swept through the area postponed that game to a later date. Mamou's game on Thursday against Northwest was cancelled as well.
Mamou is now 8-6 overall and 1-0 in district play.
Ville Platte
The Ville Platte Lady Bulldogs fell to below .500 in District 5-3A play this week.
After defeating Iota 9-7 on Tuesday, Ville Platte suffered an 11-1 loss on Thursday at Church Point. With the defeat, Ville Platte fell to 2-7 overall and 1-2 in district play.
Baseball
Mamou
The Mamou High baseball team started off the week by picking up a pair of victories.
Mamou rallied to defeat Oakdale 5-4 on Tuesday. The Warriors had taken an early lead by plating two runs in the first, one in the second and one more in the fourth.
Headed to the bottom of the sixth, Oakdale held a 4-1 lead. Mamou would close out the game strong with two runs in the sixth, one in the seventh and the game-winner in the eighth.
On Thursday, Mamou's bats got hot in a 11-7 win over Port Barre.
Mamou trailed 3-1 headed to the bottom of the fourth. The Green Demons scored four runs in the fourth and fifth and then added two more in the sixth.
Mamou got 13 hits with AJ Arvie leading the way with three hits, while Matthew Fontenot and Brady Fontenot each got 2 RBI. Wyatt Johnson meanwhile struck out six in four innings of work.
Mamou improved to 6-6 overall on the season.
Sacred Heart
Sacred Heart snapped its three-game losing streak.
The Trojans scored three runs in each of the first four innings, and defeated Opelousas High 12-1 in run rule fashion.
In the fourth inning, Sacred Heart was led by Gabe Wilmouth and Bryce Deville, who both drove in runs. Wilmouth, Gabe Fontenot, Isaac Leger, Alex McElwee, Peyton Feucht, Hayden Fontenot and Bryce Deville all recorded at least one hit in the game.
Sacred Heart improved to 8-6 overall.
Pine Prairie
Pine Prairie began District 5-3A play this week and did so with a convincing 10-0 win over Northwest on Thursday.
With the win, the Panthers improved to 9-7 overall and 1-0 in district play.