State Champions Once Again
The LaSalle Lady Tigers are once again state champions of the Division IV Non-Select softball world and allowed them to mark “mission accomplished” on their resume.
This mission started two years ago when the Lady Tigers dropped a quarterfinal game in Olla as that loss marked the first time since 2017 that the Lady Tigers would not make a trip to Sulphur. The following year they would drop another quarterfinal game at home and for the second consecutive year the Lady Tigers would miss out on a trip to Sulphur. This was unusual territory for them, because since 2017 the Lady Tigers had played for a state championship title every year. This second consecutive missed opportunity lit a fire and that spelled trouble for the rest of Division IV softball. This season these ladies had one mission in mind, and it would not be completed until they lifted the big trophy in Frasch Park. A 31-3 regular season record, a 4-0 district championship and two early round dominating wins would get them to Sulphur, Louisiana, this past weekend for a chance to hoist the big trophy. Ladies and gentlemen: Mission Accomplished.
It came down to the wire on Saturday, as La-Salle grabbed the victory in walk-off fashion 1-0, over Oak Grove. The game was tied at 0 in the bottom of the ninth inning when Mattie Parham singled, scoring Rheese Martin from first base for the win. Both teams were strong in the circle as LaSalle’s Landry Long struck out 17 and Oak Grove’s Kinley Cox struck out 14.
Long earned the win for LaSalle as the righty gave up two hits and zero runs over nine innings, striking out 17 and walking four. Kinley Cox took the loss for Oak Grove. The starter went eight and one-third innings, allowing one run on five hits, striking out 14 and walking two.
Mattie Parham went 2-4 at the plate and led the team with one RBI. Allie Murphrey and Mattie Parham each collected two hits for LaSalle. LaSalle did not commit a single error in the field. Allie Murphrey had the most chances with 18.
Landry Long collected three hits in four atbats, as LaSalle defeated Logansport 11-2 in the state championship game. Long hit an inside the park home run in the fourth inning, singled in the second and singled in the first inning. A solo homerun to right field put Logansport on the board in the first inning.
LaSalle jumped into the lead in the bottom of the first inning when Rheese Martin hit a sacrifice fly, scoring one run, then Mattie Parham doubled, scoring two runs. LaSalle added one run in the second inning after Landry Long singled on an 0-2 count.
Rheese Martin earned the win for LaSalle. The starter gave up five hits and two runs over four innings of work, striking out four and walking one. Ainsley Morvan took the loss for Logansport. Landry Long pitched three innings of zero run ball for LaSalle in relief. The pitcher struck out four, walking none and giving up four hits.
LaSalle tallied 15 hits in this game. Kinley Morris, Mattie Parham and Landry Long each collected three hits for LaSalle. Morris, Parham, and Long each drove in two runs for LaSalle. Addie Taylor collected two hits in three atbats for LaSalle. The Lady Tigers did not commit a single error in this contest. Allie Murphrey had the most chances with 8. For Long’s efforts, she was awarded Outstanding Player.
Now that this mission is accomplished, and the big trophy was raised at Frasch Park, the Lady Tigers will begin the process of rebuilding a loaded line-up that will see seven seniors graduate in the coming weeks.
Congratulations to Coach Derek White and the LaSalle Lady Tigers on a job well done. Until next season I hope to see you at some games.
