Lady Trojans drop heartbreaker in quarterfinals

Unbelievable. Amazing. Gut wrenching. Simply put, WOW! These are only a few words that could possibly describe the quarterfinal playoff marathon between the Sacred Heart Lady Trojans and the Mangham Lady Dragons. In one of the most dramatic games in Lady Trojan history, Sacred Heart and Mangham battled for 13 innings before a winner could be declared.
Unfortunately for the Lady Trojans, the game did not end the way they would have scripted it. The Lady Dragons scored in the bottom of the 13th to take the 5-4 win. With the loss, Sacred Heart finishes the year with a 15-10 record and the district 5-1A runner-up title.
The first five innings were not kind to the Lady Trojans, as missed opportunities kept Sacred Heart from plating any runs. The Lady Trojans had a runner in scoring position in the first, third and fifth innings, but could not put together any type of sustainable offense.
In the meantime, the Lady Dragons found a way to score two runs in the bottom of the second inning. Mangham took advantage of two costly Sacred Heart errors and combined that with a base hit to take the early 2-0 lead.
With the patience of Job, the Lady Trojans clawed their way back into the game. Sacred Heart scored a single run in the top of the fifth when Gabbie Andrepont crossed the plate on a fielder’s choice by Caroline Fontenot. Andrepont reached third on a single from Kara Aguillard, after doubling with one out in the inning. The run cut Mangham’s lead in half and put the Lady Trojans back in the game.
Showing even more resiliency, Sacred Heart tied the game in the top of the seventh. Sydney and Laura Beth Fontenot recorded back-to-back singles to start the offensive attack. Sarah Soileau drew a walk to load the bases with no outs. Elizabeth Soileau and Courtney Vidrine could not plate a run as both seniors were put out on a pop up and a strike out. Sydney Fontenot scored the tying run on a wild pitch. Laura Beth Fontenot was put out between third and home to end the inning.
After a scoreless eighth inning, the Lady Trojans plated what they thought may be the winning two runs in the top of the ninth. Soileau and Vidrine crossed the plate to give Sacred Heart a 4-2 lead. The Lady Trojans were aided by base hits from Soileau and Andrepont and two walks issued by Lady Dragon pitching.
Mangham came into the bottom of the ninth on the verge of bowing out of the playoffs. The Lady Dragons faced their last strike of the game, with runners at second and third and two outs. However, a single to centerfield, pushed across the season-saving two runs, tying the game at 4-4, and guaranteeing extra innings in the process.
With raw emotion and a number of gut checking plays, both Sacred Heart and Mangham held each other scoreless in the next three innings. The Lady Trojans did manage to put a runner in scoring position in the top of the 10th, when Laura Beth Fontenot singled and stole second base. Yet, Sacred Heart was unable to take advantage of a moment and could advance Fontenot to home plate.
As the 13th inning began, it seemed as if neither team would crack through the brick wall built by either pitcher. The Lady Trojans placed a runner at first base, as Vidrine singled with two outs. Once again, the Sacred Heart offense stalled and opened the door for the Lady Dragons in the bottom of the inning.
This time, Mangham did not waste the chance to end the game. The Lady Dragons put runners on first and second with one out on a single and an error by the Lady Trojan defense. Sacred Heart strangled away the first threat, when the Lady Dragon lead runner was thrown out attempting to score on the second single of the inning.
Regretfully, the Lady Trojans could not stop what was to happen next. A double to centerfield plated the winning run and gave Mangham the thrilling playoff win.
Elizabeth Soileau suffered the loss for Sacred Heart, pitching all 12 and one third innings. Soileau gave up five runs on 13 hits, while striking out one. At the plate, Gabbie Andrepont was four for six with a run scored and two runs batted in. Laura Beth Fontenot went three for six, while Vidrine and Sarah Soileau each recorded two hits.
After the game, Head Coach Patrick Richey was very positive in his comments about the game and the season. “The girls really came out and did what we asked of them and that was to play hard no matter what,” said Richey. “They truly left everything they had on the field. When things were not going our way, the players never got down, they just went to work on getting us back into the game.”
Richey added, “Obviously we had some missed opportunities with runners in scoring position and was hoping to advance those runners. We also had a few errors at key times that cost us runs. If we execute in those situations, it’s a different game. But, I am so proud of the way our girls responded and kept fighting to the end.”
Richey gushed when he spoke of his trio of seniors. “What can you say about our seniors. The coaching staff put them in charge of showing leadership and all three took the responsibility to heart. Their work ethic was second to none and I think they showed the juniors how to be leaders for next year.”
When asked about his first-year experience with coaching softball, Richey was very humble in his response. “I truly believe that the girls taught me as much as I taught them. It was a tremendous experience, especially being around a great group of girls and having the support of my two assistant coaches. I asked the girls at the beginning of the season to trust me and I would trust them and that is exactly what happened.”
Coach Richey went on to thank the parents and the fans for supporting the team and the coaches. “I came to Sacred Heart because of the family atmosphere and I was not disappointed with that aspect of my experience.”