Champions!!!

GULF SHORES, AL -- Ville Platte is on the national softball map once again.
This time it is the Ville Platte Girl’s Softball Association 10U Recreational All-Stars that have brought notoriety to this small community deep in the heart of Evangeline Parish, after they captured the USSSA World Series title here Thursday afternoon.
This is the second World Series title in three years for the VPGSA organization, after the 8U team won the PONY title two years ago.
It was a long journey for Ville Platte, but the persistence and no quit moxie finally paid off with the final out of the World Series.
“It is such a wonderful feeling to see these girls hoist this trophy,” an elated head coach Nick LeBas said after the final game. “I cannot say enough about the grit and determination of this team. At the beginning of the season we had a lot of question marks.”
“But, every time we stepped out on the field, we became a better team and that showed here today,” he continued. “The main reason that we have this title is because every girl on this team did their job and played with a tremendous amount of teamwork attitude.”
Ville Platte began their quest for the title on Monday with an opening pool game against West Mobile. Ville Platte jumped out in front of the Alabama team 5-3 after the first inning of play. However, West Mobile was able to tack on five more runs in the bottom of the second to take the lead for good and the 8-5 win.
Pool game number two saw a back-and-forth affair between Ville Platte and a Louisiana team, Carencro. The All-Stars pushed ahead 3-2 after two innings of play, but Carencro had an answer in the top of the third, plating five runs.
Ville Platte responded in their final two at-bats, scoring five runs of their own to sneak away with an 8-7 win.
With pool play finished, Ville Platte found themselves going into bracket play as a number three seed.
For their first bracket game, Ville Platte was pitted against the Knockout, a team out of Slidell. Confidence oozed out of the All-Stars as they had played and beaten that same team earlier this season.
The outcome was the same this time around, as Ville Platte pounded the ball for 14 hits to take a 17-6 win.
Ville Platte continued the offensive onslaught in their next bracket game against Navarre, Florida. The All-Stars belted their way to a 14-2 win to remain in the thick of things.
A single game on Wednesday had Ville Platte facing off against another Louisiana team, this one based out of Kinder and Iowa.
The Yellow Jackets gave Ville Platte a run for their money, but in the end the All-Stars were able to work their way to a 3-0 win. That victory put Ville Platte one win away from a championship appearance.
Unfortunately, title hopes would have to be put on hold, as Ville Platte fell to Trussville, Alabama 9-5 late Wednesday night.
Game one on Thursday was a do or die situation for Ville Platte as they needed a win to get into the title contest. The All-Stars showed their heart, pulling out a 6-1 win over West Mobile.
That win meant that Ville Platte would have to beat Trussville twice to take home the hardware.
No sweat for the girls from Flat Town. Despite the earlier loss to Trussville, the All-Stars were not star struck. Ville Platte took care of business in game one scoring a 7-1 win and followed that with championship caliber 6-3 win in game two to seal the crown.
“I just want to thank my coaches, Brian Bergeron, Joe Bordelon and Gene Latour for their dedication to this team,” stated LeBas. “Without them, this would not have happened. They poured their heart and soul out to prepare these girls. ”
“Also, our parents and fans were the greatest,” he continued. “We also could not have been here without the support of our town. Everyone who donated to the team holds a part of this trophy. And, thanks to VPGSA for allowing these 12 girls to continue playing this summer.