Tom Dodge
Seven out of the eight District 5-3A softball teams earned a playoff spot this season, with Pine Prairie finishing as the LHSAA Class 3-A state runners-up.
The No. 2 Lady Panthers (33-5, 13-1) rolled to wins over Wossman, Mamou, Kaplan and Jena before falling 9-1 to No. 9 Caldwell Parish in the championship game.
Pine Prairie’s Woody Harvey was named district coach of the year, while Lady Panther senior pitcher Karli Ortego was named district MVP.
Other first team pitchers included Mamou’s Dacia Richard, Nella LaGrange from Crowley and Iota’s Greta Fontenot.
Iota’s Makenzie Droddy was named first team catcher, while Kailey Soileau from Pine Prairie was named first team first baseman.
Pine Prairie’s Maycie Hardy is the first team second baseman, while Lady Panther Jacie McFarlain is first team third baseman.
Crowley’s Phobee Spell is the first team short stop.
First team outfielders include Pine Prairie’s Tori Johnson, Teri Johnson from Iota and Breana Larry from Crowley.
First team utility players are Iota’s McKenzy LeJeune, Sikylier Baronnet from Crowley, Mamou’s Madison Fontenot, Abby Fontenot from Pine Prairie and Port Barre’s Hailey Martinez.
Second team pitchers include Ryley Crochet from Iota, Port Barre’s Anna Disotel, Khahli Malone from Northwest and Pine Prairie’s Brianna Wall.
Lady Panther Kaitlyn Robinson earned second team catcher honors, while Crowley’s Payton Breaux and Morgan Guidry were selected as second team second baseman and third baseman, respectively.
Pine Prairie’s Allie Fontenot was named second team short stop.
Second team outfielders include Mamou’s Teralyn Fontenot, Jocelyn Marceax from Crowley and Iota’s Taylor Dupre.
Second team utility players are Mamou’s Taylor Douget, Mckenzie Hebert from Port Barre, Church Point’s Hailee Doucet, Pine Prairie’s Asia George and Angel Menier from Mamou.
Six Eunice High players were named as honorable mention selections including Cassie Thomas, Amber Arvie, Olivia Thibodeaux, Jalyn Pavich, Natalie Vidrine and Nicole Vidrine.
Other players selected on the honorable mention list include Port Barre’s Isabella Bass, Kennedi Aymond, Emily Stelly and Bailee Wyble as well as Kaitee Bertrand and Tierane Thomas from Mamou.
Iota’s Amelie Armand, Peyton DuBose, Dixie Guidry and Breyona Dugai were also named honorable mention.
Jaysa Marceaux from Crowley, Pine Prairie’s Sydia King along with Tashianna Fontenot and Alexia Jason from Northwest complete the honorable mention list.
After district champion Pine Prairie was district runners-up No. 9 Crowley (25-9, 11-2) that grabbed playoff wins over Madison Prep, South Beauregard and Brusly before falling 7-2 to Caldwell Parish in the state semifinals.
No. 10 Iota (22-9, 11-2) opened the playoffs a win over Iowa before falling 2-0 to Kaplan in the regional round.
No. 15 Mamou (18-13, 7-7) grabbed a 2-1 win over district member No. 18 Port Barre (14-17, 6-8)before losing to district rival Pine Prairie 11-1 in the regionals.
No. 25 Eunice (11-20, 3-11) lost 3-1 No. 8 South Beauregard in the first rouund, while No. 29 Church Point (6-20, 4-10) fell 16-1 to No. 4 North Vermilion.
Northwest (0-15, 0-14) did not earn a playoff spot this season.