Redemption time?

Two years ago nine of the 12 players on the Dixie Youth Major All-Stars were one out away from sealing the state title and moving on to the World Series.
For those two years, this group has thought long and hard about the opportunity that slipped away. So, when they got together again as 12-years olds, one motivating factor was on their mind; redeem themselves.
Well, they now have that chance, as Ville Platte has advanced on to the Dixie Youth State Championship Series beginning Friday at 6 p.m. in Alexandria.
Ville Platte earned that spot by going undefeated in the South Regional tournament held this past week in Bayou Vista. In that tournament, Ville Platte used stellar pitching and a solid defensive effort to outscore their opponents 45-10.
“The team set the goal of winning a state championship and a World Series title at the beginning of the all-star season,” stated head coach Delaney Fontenot. “We still have that opportunity after winning this regional tournament.”
According to Fontenot, the main reason Ville Platte went through the week unscathed was a part of the game that goes over looked because of their tremendous offense.
“Our pitching was lights out all tournament long,” said head coach Delaney Fontenot. “We won this title because of that and our defense. Our bats were not quite what they had been in the past two tournaments, but they showed up when needed. But, it was definitely pitching and defense that brought us to state.”
When Ville Platte did score runs, they did so in huge chunks most of the time.
The boys in blue began the tournament against an old rivalry from two years ago, St. Mary’s Central. Ville Platte beat St. Mary’s to advance to state in 2014, so the host team was looking for some revenge. However, they did not get it, as Ville Platte took an easy 6-1 win.
In the game Ville Platte gave St. Mary’s no breathing room from the start, scoring three runs in the top of the second inning.
Ville Platte added to that lead in the top of the fifth, adding a single run. The local crew made it even tougher in the top of the sixth by tacking on two more runs to complete the scoring for the contest.
St. Mary’s lone run came in the bottom of the sixth.
Next up for the Evangeline Parish all-stars was Wally Pontiff, a New Orleans based team. Pontiff proved to be a tougher match than fans wanted, as Ville Platte had to scratch out a 4-3 win.
Both Pontiff and Ville Platte could not get anything going in the first two innings, as neither team could put runs up on the board.
In the top of the third, Pontiff was able to get to the Ville Platte pitching staff and plated three runs.
Knowing they needed some offense to come away with the win, Ville Platte answered with four runs in the bottom of the third and then proceeded to hold Pontiff scoreless the rest of the way to seal the win.
Ville Platte’s slow start on offense the first two games ramped up in their next two contests, as they lit up the board for 25 runs.
In game four, Ville Platte faced a Minden team that was not ready for the explosiveness of their offense, as Ville Platte rolled to a 12-5 win.
Minden got on the board first in the bottom of the first with a single run. Ville Platte answered with eight huge runs in the bottom of the third.
Minden tried to creep back into the game in the bottom of the third, but Ville Platte would not yield, as they scored four runs in the next two innings to put the game out of reach.
Ville Platte continued lighting up the scoreboard in game four, as they demolished Pontiff, in a re-match, 13-0.
This game only took four innings and was probably the most complete game of the tournament for Ville Platte.
The game started the way it did in the first meeting between the two teams, with no runs plated in the first two innings. However, things turned in Ville Platte’s favor, as they busted the contest open with seven runs in the top of the third inning.
Ville Platte added six more runs in the top of the fourth and shut Pontiff out, capping off the run-rule win.
A second match-up with St. Mary’ awaited Ville Platte in the championship game, with the host team needing to beat Ville Platte twice to take home the title. Ville Platte did not let that happen, closing out the win in one game with a 7-1 victory.
Ville Platte never trailed in the game, jumping out in front of St. Mary’s by scoring two runs in the bottom of the first. St. Mary’s cut the lead in half in the top of the fourth with a single run.
However, Ville Platte iced the game adding five more runs in the bottom of the fifth to take home the championship trophy.
For Fontenot, the experience of winning every tournament up to this point has been a tremendous ride.
“We as coaches are lucky to be with these players on a daily basis,” said Fontenot. “After the game, I told them that myself and the other coaches were fortunate, because they do all the work and we get to enjoy the ride. It is such an honor to see how hard these guys work.”
Fontenot also alluded to how much the support he and the coaches have gotten from everyone.
“The parents are amazing,” stated Fontenot. “They have been a super help to all of the coaching staff. The town and Mayor Jennifer Vidrine are always so enthusiastic and boost our players to the highest levels. It is a privilege to wear Ville Platte across our chests.”
For now Ville Platte only has two days to prepare for state. Their opponents are unknown at this time, as the North Regional tournament was not scheduled to be completed until Wednesday.
Fontenot does not care who they will face at state. What is most important is that the team continues to focus and prepare for anything.
“It is up to us to go out and perform at state,” commented Fontenot. “We can only control what we do. We will take a light batting practice on Wednesday and have a quick walk through on Thursday and then let the chips fall where they may.”