Softball Finals: Chapelle secures first state championship, Lutcher ends title drought

Archbishop Chapelle had never won a state softball title. That shadow can no longer linger over the fine program.

The fifth-seeded Chipmunks broke that identity by breaking through Saturday in Sulphur.

If you want to be the best, you have to beat the best.

John Curtis Christian has been the best program, winning 12 state titles since 2003 and the second-seeded Patriots were on the verge of making it 13.

Unfortunately for the Patriots, this quest for No. 13 proved to unlucky.

Chapelle, who had not beaten John Curtis in 18 tries, ended the streak and rallied to take a 2-1 victory over their District 9-5A rival in the Select Division I state championship game Saturday afternoon at Frasch Park.

“To see it come to fruition is simply tremendous,” O’Brien said. “We played a schedule that featured 17 teams that were in the quarterfinals and played six teams that played for state championships. That prepared us very well. We played better and pitched better this time around against them and had to do so to beat a quality team and program.”

John Curtis defeated Chapelle 10-2 on March 26 but the final was nothing like that one.

With the score 1-1 in the top of the sixth inning, Chapelle’s Kayla Giardina doubled and advanced to third on a bunt by Kelsie Schmidt. Mia Impastato produced what proved to be the game-winning run with a sacrifice fly, scoring courtesy runner Bayleigh Hammer.

Both teams had played taxing, extra inning games Friday and you had to wonder what energy was left and whether star pitchers could bounce back from long, strenuous, stressful outings.

Giardina answered that question in resounding fashion. The Southern Miss signee struck out 12 Patriots, allowing just two hits and an unearned run in 91 pitches. She was named the game’s Most Outstanding Player.

“Kayla was on her game,” Chapelle coach Scott O’Brien said. “She hit her spots, was very accurate and held down great hitters. I cannot say enough about her. I’m really going to miss her.”

John Curtis (24-7) took the early lead with a run in the first inning on infield single by Miley Percle, an error allowing Kai Goodman to reach, a double steal and a sacrifice fly by Katie Kempton.

It stayed that way until the top of the fifth inning when Chapelle (23-7) tied the game on a single by Kam DiMaggio, scoring Addy Stein.

Kempton pitched an outstanding game for John Curtis, allowing just two runs on six hits. Kempton walked two and struck out two, using 82 pitches. Kinsley McInnis had the other hit for Curtis.

For the Chipmunks, the time has come to savor their monumental achievement.

“Unbelievable,” O’Brien said. “This is a credit to hard work and determination. We have been building this with these seniors for five years, five years of work and developing players and a program and seeing the little things become the big thing.”

Like Chapelle, Lutcher had to beat the best to be the best.

In the Non-Select Division II title game, No. 2 Lutcher whipped No. 1 seed North DeSoto 9-4 to win the championship.

YOUR LUTCHER LADY DOGS ARE STATE CHAMPIONS!!!!
Dogs defeat North Desoto with a final score of 9-4 to claim our first title in 15 years!! What a season!! pic.twitter.com/fHjezOmVdx

— Lutcher Softball (@LutcherSoftball) April 27, 2024

North DeSoto was the top seed and the three-time defending state champion and the Griffins had won six state championships since 2015.

The streak ended at three Saturday as Lutcher captured their first state crown since 2009.

Freshman Blair Clement was the clear star, providing huge punch with a pair of home runs, including a grand slam with five RBI for the Bulldogs. Clement did the job on the mound, pitching a complete game to pick up the big win.

Lutcher (24-7) broke a scoreless tie with five runs in the top of the fourth inning on three straight walks preceding the grand slam. After North DeSoto fought back to cut the deficit to 5-3, Lutcher pulled away with two runs in the sixth inning and two more in the seventh.

Laney Johnson took the loss for the Griffins.

LHSAA Softball Finals Results from Saturday, April 28

Non-Select Division I
(3) St. Amant 7, (4) Ponchatoula 2

Non-Select Division II
(2) Lutcher 9, (1) North DeSoto 4

Non-Select Division III
(1) Sterlington 1, (2) Doyle 0

Non-Select Division IV
(3) Montgomery 5, (5) French Settlement 4

Non-Select Division V
(1) Quitman 8, (6) Stanley 1

Select Division I
(5) Archbishop Chapelle 2, (2) John Curtis Christian 1

Select Division II
(2) Vandebilt Catholic 7, (1) Buckeye 3

Select Division III
(1) Calvary Baptist 10, (3) Houma Christian 9

Select Division IV
(1) Opelousas Catholic 1, (2) Catholic (PC)

Select Division V
(1) Grace Christian 12, (2) Family Community 2