VP Majors rebound for championship

Ville Platte coasted into the semi-finals of the District Seven Tournament in Ville Platte. They had dominated nearly every team they played and now only DeRidder was in their way. A win for VP would put them in the finals for sure. A loss meant they would have to see what happened.
Ville Platte fell behind in the top of the first inning. A walk and a passed ball put a runner on second base for the visiting team. Then, a fielder’s choice and a single later, DeRidder was up 1-0.
The local boys bounced back with a pair of runs in the bottom of the inning. Dru Scully and Christian Duplechin scored after both reached base. Both runners came home on passed balls, giving VP a 2-1 lead.
After that, Ville Platte would not score again, despite threatening in the second and third innings. DeRidder on the other hand, managed to put up runs in the third and fourth innings. They went on to hand VP their first loss by a score of 6-2.
Ville Platte, DeRidder and DeQuincy would all have to meet up again in the finals on Thursday. Because Ville Platte had not had a bye throughout the tournament, they were automatically moved into the final game. That meant VP was going to a regional one way or the other. Which one was yet to be determined. A win in the finals sent them to Metairie to play at Wally Pontiff Park along with the Super 10’s, who won their district tournament. (See article below). A loss meant they would go north to play in Franklin Parish.
Ville Platte came out against DeQuincy with a vengeance in the final. Landon Deshotel went to the hill and did a spectacular job. He gave up just three hits and one run in the contest.
At the plate, the offense for Ville Platte exploded early. Scully walked to begin the inning and Duplechin singled in the bottom of the first inning. Scully scored on a wild pitch and Daegan Mitchell walked a pitch later. Deshotel came to the plate and hit a shot out of the yard for a three-run home run.
Ville Platte added five more runs in the second inning. Connor Bordelon and Wesley Marcantel each walked to begin the inning. Scully drove in two runs with a single, to make it a 6-0 contest. Duplechin doubled and brought Scully in to score and Mitchell also doubled to drive in a run. Deshotel followed with a single and that brought Mitchell to the plate.
Ville Platte added another run in the third block. Cade Foret singled and crossed the plate on a hit from Duplechin. That made it a 10-1 contest.
Ville Platte addded a pair of runs in the fourth inning to enforce the 10-run mercy rule. Aiden Lejeune was hit by a pitch and Bordelon was hit as well. The two scored on a single from Scully to end the contest.
Ville Platte will begin their quest for a regional title Friday in Metairie. The brackets should be out this week and will be highlighted in Thursday’s sports section.