Ville Platte Minors wrap up season as State Runner-Up

BY: TRACEY JAGNEAUX
Sports Editor

To be a state champion takes a tremendous amount of hard work, dedication and determination.
The Ville Platte Minor all-stars exuded all of those qualities and more.
Unfortunately, sometimes those qualities are not enough to reach the top of the mountain. Sometimes another team is just better than you on a given day.
That is when you tip your hat to that opponent and have to be satisfied that you gave it your all.
After losing game one to Minden in the best two out of three series, Ville Platte battled back to take game two to take the 5-2 win.
Ville Platte opened the game by plating three big runs. Minden cut into the early  lead by scoring a single run in the bottom of the first.
Ville Platte added single runs in the fourth and fifth innings and held Minden to a lone run in the bottom of the third.
However, Minden produced enough offense to take the final game and end the Ville Platte chances of taking home the title.
Minden jumped out to a five run lead after one inning of play.
Minden essentially put the game away in the top of fourth by plating four more runs.
Ville Platte tried to answer back scoring two runs in the bottom of the fourth and a single run in the bottom of the fifth. But, it was just not enough to  overcome the deficit.
“Game three proved to be too much offense from Minden, putting an end to one heck of a run by the Ville Platte Allstars,” said Head Coach Eric Fontenot. “Although we went through the previous tournaments undefeated, it was far from a walk in the park. We played numerous talented teams that pushed us to our limit, but these boys just refused to stay down.”
Even though a state title was not in the cards for Ville Platte, Fontenot was still proud of his team’s effort this all-star season.
“Coaches Josh Deshotels, Chris Courville, John Pitre and myself could not be more prouder of this Super 10 all-star team,” said Fontenot. “It seems that when we needed clutch pitching the players delivered. If we were in need of clutch hitting,  again they delivered.”
Fontenot was also appreciative of the support of the parents and the fans.
“I am very thankful to the support from the parents, grand parents, fans and local businesses for there support,” stated Fontenot. “I feel privileged to have coached these great group of young men!