Lady Panthers end two-year drought

Submitted by admin on Tue, 04/22/2008 - 17:22

By: LANCE REED

Sports Editor

After a two-year absence, the Lady Panthers of Pine Prairie have earned the right to play in the Class 2A State Tournament. They defeated the Fisher Lady Gators 6-1 in Lafitte. The last time the Pine Prairie girls and Head Coach Carolyn Deville were in Sulphur, they won the Class 2A State Championship. They are hoping to repeat that feat. They will play South Beauregard Friday at 4 p.m.

The Lady Panthers tested the waters for a little while and then struck in the third inning. Ashley Marcantel doubled to get things going for the orange and black. Senior catcher Kayla Johnson came to the plate next. She wasted no time in hitting a blast out of the park. The ball sailed over the left center field wall, making it a 2-0 ball game.

Pine Prairie continued to bang on Fisher pitching in the top of the fourth inning. Sophomore Katie Reed led off the inning with a double. She crossed the plate on a single from Emily Marcantel. Ashley Marcantel reached on an error later in the inning. That allowed Emily Marcantel to score. The Lady Panthers were clearly in the driver’s seat with a 4-0 lead.

Senior pitcher Chelsey Fontenot was a big reason why Pine Prairie was in the driver’s seat. Her performance was amazing as she mowed down Fisher batters all day long. She fanned eight batters and allowed just one hit. Fisher’s only run was unearned.

Emily Marcantel continued to have a great day at the plate. She blasted a solo home run in the top of the sixth inning. Fisher found a way to get a run on the board in the bottom of the inning, making it a 5-1 ball game.

In the top of the seventh frame, Ashley Marcantel walked and later scored on mishandled ball hit by Madison Murray. The Lady Panthers went on to victory and punched their ticket to go back to Frash Park.

It should be very interesting next Friday. The Lady Panthers were eliminated from the Class 2A playoffs last year by South Beauregard. Pine Prairie was heavily favored in that contest. However, in 2005, the PPHS girls took a 5-2 victory over the Lady Knights in the Class 2A State Championship game. South Beauregard was heavily favored in that game. Look for more in Thursday’ sports section.