Photograph: A Beau Chene baserunner slides into home plate against Opelousas Catholic. (Photograph by Mike Curley)
BOBBY ARDOIN
Editor/Consulting Writer
St. Landry Parish high school softball features several potential state tournament teams as the regular season moves into the final weeks of the regular season.
Two of those programs – Opelousas Catholic and Beau Chene – met last week in a key contest that provided a playoff aura and perhaps a preview of what each team will face when the postseason begins next month.
“I thought the game (with Beau Chene) was somewhat important. (Beau Chene) is the type of team that you normally are going to see in the playoffs. It was good to see how you compete against another team of that caliber,” said OCS softball coach Wil Pitre, following the Vikings’ 2-1 defeat.
Port Barre, which played for a state championship last year, enters this week 12-8. The Red Devils were the only other parish softball team with a winning record.
On Monday the Vikings’ softball team was ranked No. 3 in the Division IV select power rankings, while Beau Chene ranked fourth last week in non-select Division III.
The key regular season game remaining for the Vikings, Pitre said, is a Tuesday contest with district opponent St. Edmund set for Scotty Speyrer Field at 4:30 p.m..
Last week St. Edmund was ranked No. 14 in Division IV select.
Beau Chene
Beau Chene enters this week with only two defeats. Like OC the Gators are undefeated in their district games (6-4A)..
Beau Chene has participated in the last three state tournaments. In 2021 the Gators were a runner up in Class 4A.
The Gators this season feature five seniors in the starting lineup, while the two Beau Chene pitchers are juniors Devyn Latiolais and Lexie Gautreaux.
Key senior players for Beau Chene are shortstop Cloe Bonvillain, third baseman Kirsten Laldone, center fielder Emme Marks, right fielder Camille Champagne and catcher Addy Arnaud.
Opelousas Catholic
Pitre noted that the Vikings’ strength again lies within the pitching circle. Ashley Little and Kaydente Faul.
OCS shortstop Madison Gussman provides strength in the middle of the Vikings defense, Pitre said.
The Vikings played for a state championship last season.
