Lady Trojans prepare for state tournament

For the second time in the last four years the Sacred Heart Lady Trojans have earned a spot at the LHSAA state softball tournament, also known as the Fastpitch 56 Tournament, in Sulphur. The Lady Trojans will face off in the quarterfinal game against the Mangham Lady Dragons on Friday at 2 p.m.
Sacred Heart comes into the tournament with an overall record of 13-8. The Lady Trojans blanked Highland Baptist 15-0 in the first round of the playoffs and took a thrilling 4-3 win over district rival St. Ed’s in a regional contest.
According to Head Coach Patrick Richey, Sacred Heart will prepare as usual for the quarterfinal game, despite the excitement surrounding the trip to Sulphur. “The girls are very hyped up about going back to the state tournament, as they should be. It will be the first time being back since our seniors were freshmen. Still, we are going to approach this like any other game. We are going to go through our same routine this week, as well as when we get there. From what I have heard from the other coaches, there is nothing that can prepare you for the atmosphere over there. As a first year coach, I am just going to ride the wave as we go.”
For the senior players, Elizabeth Fontenot, Hannah Lemoine and Courtney Vidrine, going back to Sulphur will be a different experience than the last trip as freshmen. “As a freshman, it was definitely an awesome experience,” stated Soileau. “But now that we are seniors, we know what to expect. If we go there and play our game and focus on the mission ahead, we have a good chance of accomplishing anything.”
Lemoine reiterated Soileau’s sentiments. “We have to have everyone playing as a team,” said Lemoine. “Everyone had to have confidence in each other and we have to pick each other up when something goes wrong.”
Vidrine felt that it will be a different experience this time around. “I think it will be less nerve racking for me,” commented Vidrine. “The seniors will have to make sure that the underclassmen are ready to play once we get on the field to play.”
One person that has had the opportunity of seeing the atmosphere as a parent and a coach is Assistant Coach Bill Ramirez. His daughter played on the Sacred Heart team that participated in the tournament in 2009. “As a parent it was pretty relaxing and exciting,” said Ramirez. “As a coach it is a totally different story. It’s up to us as coaches to make sure that they do not become overwhelmed, particularly when they get between the fences on the diamond. If we can get them to focus on the task at hand, then I really believe we have as good a chance as any team there to be there at the end.”
Mangham, the district 2-1A champion, brings an overall record of 27-7 to the contest. The Lady Dragons walked through their first two games of the playoffs, 15 run-ruling both White Castle and Houma Christian. With Mangham gaining regular season wins over West Ouachita (class 4A), Ouachita (class 5A), and Buckeye (class 3A), Coach Richey knows that the quarterfinal matchup will be a tough one.
“They have a really outstanding pitcher and hit the ball extremely well,” said Richey. “We are going to have to get ready to field the ball well and play good defense. Our focus has to be on playing mistake free softball.”
With the two teams seemingly an even match, playing mistake free softball may just be the difference maker in the game. If the Lady Trojans hope to advance to the championship, they will have to muster as much focus and tenacity as they can. The challenge to get to the tournament is over, now the challenge is to get to that final game.