Not enough

SULPHUR -- The Mamou Lady Demons made it a game.
Down 6-1 heading into their final at bat, the Lady Demons picked up three big runs to cut deep into the Caldwell Parish lead.
But it was not quite enough. Mamou ran out of gas and out of options as they dropped a tough 6-4 loss to the Lady Spartans Friday afternoon in the Class 3A state semi-finals.
With the loss, the Lady Demons complete their season with an overall record of 20-9, making it to the semi-finals for the first time in school history.
After the contest, Mamou head coach Kim Manuel spoke about her team’s valiant effort.
“It is a little disappointing to get to this point and fall short of the ultimate prize, but I am so thankful of the season this team had,” stated Manuel. “They came together and finally showed what type of talent this team possesses. They never quit in this game, even though we had a couple of rough innings. We fought all the way and gave ourselves a chance in the end.”
The Lady Demon’s chances to put up points began in their very first at bat. Mamou found themselves with runners at first and second with only one out in the top of the first inning. However, the Lady Demons could not string together any solid hits to push those runners across the plate.
Caldwell Parish used Mamou’s missed opportunity as momentum when they came to bat in the bottom half of the first. The Lady Spartans collected three hits and two walks to bring in three big runs in taking an early lead over the Lady Demons.
Following an unproductive inning at the plate for Mamou in the top of the second, Caldwell Parish got some help from the Lady Demons in the bottom of the second to secure three more runs and open up a 6-0 lead. In that at bat, the Lady Spartans did not earn a run, as they were aided by three walks and two costly errors from the Mamou defense.
“We knew coming in that we had to play some solid defense if we wanted to win,” said Manuel. “The few mistakes we made were a big factor at the beginning of the game. Yet, we were there at the end and were one hit away from tying this game. It just shows that this team fights until the last out.”
The third and fourth innings were washouts for both clubs, as neither the Lady Demons or the Lady Spartans were able to muster any type of offense.
The breakthrough for Mamou came in the top of the fifth inning. Teralyn Fontenot reached second base on a throwing error by the Caldwell Parish defense.
A perfect sacrifice bunt by Sophia Fritz moved Fontenot to third. A wild pitch with Sydney Bruney at the plate allowed Fontenot to score and cut the Lady Spartan lead down to five, 6-1.
After sitting Caldwell Parish down in order in the bottom of the fifth, Mamou found themselves in good position at the plate in the top of the sixth. Madison Fontenot doubled to lead off the inning and reached third base on a ground out to the second baseman.
Nevertheless, Fontenot remained stranded at that bag, as the Lady Demons once again failed to pick up the timely hit.
The Lady Spartans threatened in the bottom of the sixth, putting runners at second and third with one out. Luckily, Mamou hurler Dacia Richard was on point in the latter part of the game, as she struck out the next two batters she faced to end the threat.
In the top of the seventh, the Lady Demons made their final push. Teralyn Fontenot walked to lead off the at bat and reached second when, with one out, Bruney was hit by a pitch.
Two wild pitches later, Fontenot was home safely and pinch runner Kylie Rider sat at third base. Rider found her way to the plate on a single by Angel Menier.
Menier moved to second base on a wild pitch. A fly ball recorded the second out of the half inning. Madison Fontenot followed by drawing a walk.
With runners now at first and second, Richard singled, scoring both Rider and Menier. Alyssa West, courtesy running for Richard moved up to second base on a wild pitch. Regrettably, the Lady Demons’ big inning came to an end when Caldwell hurler Whitney Tate collected her first strike out of the game.
Menier, Madison Fontenot, Richard, Douget and Bruney all singled in the game for Mamou.