Staying on track

BY: TRACEY JAGNEAUX
Sports Editor

Staying power. It’s what all teams who dream of winning a championship title have on a consistent basis.
It’s no different for the Louisiana Major Dixie Youth all-stars.
For the third tournament in a row, Louisiana has had to face elimination after losing a game in a tournament.
And, for the third tournament in a row, they boys from Ville Platte have gritted their teeth and plowed ahead.
Louisiana took a loss on Sunday at the hands of Virginia. But, that loss has not deterred the cast of 12.
Since that loss, Louisiana has rebounded with two huge wins to stay alive in the Dixie Youth World Series being played in Lexington, South Carolina.
What has made this team of young men so special? According to head coach Stokie Fontenot, it has been the concept of “all for one”.
“This team has grown up before our eyes,” stated Fontenot. “Ever since the regional tournament these young men have learned to play for the team and not as individuals. It is a special thing to see happen.”
Another factor in the way Louisiana has chewed up and spit out adversity, is the fact that everyone on the squad contributes.
“We have a team of 12 players,” said Fontenot. “Not one or two main players. Whatever we ask, they do it. They have shown a lot of guts and determination to this point.”
Amazingly enough, losing to Virginia in game two may have been just what the doctor ordered.
“With the loss, our players know their backs are against the wall,” commented assistant coach Delaney Fontenot. “These guys do not want to walk out to the outfield and take down the Louisiana flag. They have seen other teams have to do it and they don’t want to see this end.”
Louisiana opened up with a huge offensive  outburst in a 23-2 win over Arkansas.
Louisiana began the game down 2-0 after the first inning. However, single runs in the second and fourth innings tied the game up.
Louisiana then exploded for 21 runs in the next two innings, including 17 runs in the sixth inning to put away Arkansas.
In the game two loss to Virginia, Louisiana could only manage six hits in an 8-4 loss.
Virginia got out of the gates early, taking a 5-0 lead after the first two innings of play. Louisiana scored a single run in the third to cut the lead back to four.
Virginia answered with three more runs in the bottom of the fourth  to extend the lead to 8-1. Louisiana picked up a single run in the fifth and two runs in the sixth to cut into the lead.
However, the Louisiana rally died in the sixth, as Virginia sealed the win.
On Monday, it was win or go home for Louisiana faced off against Texas.
Louisiana held off a late Texas charge to take the 9-6 win and advance in the tournament.
Louisiana and Texas were tied 1-1 at the end of the first inning. However, the Louisiana bats caught fire in the second inning, plating seven big runs.
Texas added two runs in the second, and two more in the fourth to cut the lead. Louisiana tacked on a lone run in the sixth and held Texas to one run in the bottom of the inning to close out the win.
In another elimination game on Tuesday, Louisiana wasted no time in a run-rule 13-2 win over Mississippi.
Louisiana plated two runs in the first, seven in the second and four in the fourth in the win.
Mississippi scored single runs in the first and fourth innings.
Louisiana was scheduled to play the loser of South Carolina and Virginia on Wednesday for the right to play in the finals.
Only four teams were left as of Wednesday; South Carolina, Florida, Virginia and Louisiana.
The Gazette will have full coverage of the final two days of the World Series in Sunday’s edition.