BOBBY ARDOIN
Editor/Consulting Writer
The tenacity the Opelousas Catholic softball team displayed all season appeared during the most appropriate moments on Friday afternoon,
OCS executed a trio of one-run comebacks that included a dramatic two-out score in the bottom of the seventh as the Vikings moved into a Division IV select championship game with a 4-3 win over Ascension Catholic at Frasch Park in Sulphur.
The win enabled OCS to play for a state softball championship Saturday against District 5-1A rival Catholic High-Pointe Coupee.
OCS head softball coach Cullen Matherne said afterward that he wasn’t surprised by the Vikings’ ability to flip the deficits into momentum-altering situations.
“This team has shown that type of resiliency all year. They’re a one pitch at a time team and they know how to win. The girls have shown this type of toughness all year. It’s part of our culture not to give up no matter what,” Matherne said.
The Vikings took a 3-2 lead into the seventh inning off a two-run homer in the fifth by shortstop Madison Gussman. Ascension Catholic however tied the game at three in the top seventh following a base hit and two walks.
OCS delivered the game-winning comeback In the bottom of the seventh when centerfielder Grace Luna punched a two-out, game-winning hit that sailed between a pair of Ascension Catholic outfielders and scored catcher Brooklyn Gerald.
The home run ball by Gussman seized a ride in the strong wind blowing out from home plate.
Gussman said the two-out pitch from Ana Gauthe appeared high and inside.
“I was just trying to stay calm and I was taking some deep breaths,” Gussman said as she waited for the three-two delivery from Gauthe..
Vikings’ junior pitcher Ashley Little struck out 13 and walked four. Two of those walks scored, including a leadoff base on balls that led to the tying run in the seventh.
Although the Vikings committed only one error, Matherne said the semifinal win wasn’t emblematic of how well OCS has played defensively for most of the year.
However the Vikings provided perhaps the most significant defensive play of the game in the top of the sixth to preserve what was a 3-2 advantage.
Ascension Catholic catcher Aubrey Delatte, who led off with a single, was thrown out at home plate after attempting to score from first base after a Vikings’ throwing error sailed into right field. Gerald used an outfield throw from Ludeau and a relay from infielder Alexis Lafleur to tag the sliding baserunner.
Little then struck out the final two batters.
OCS collected 10 hits. Gerald had a pair of singles. Ludeau and Reagan Butler also produced two singles.
Butler, who bunted safely for her first single, moved to third on a sacrifice bunt by Ludeau and scored off a sacrifice fly by Gussman who had two RBI.
