Softball Playoffs: John Curtis, Chapelle, Vandebilt Catholic, Houma Christian advance to Sulphur

LHSAA SOFTBALL BRACKETS

Prep Softball Playoff Report for Saturday, April 20

They’re back!

The second-seeded John Curtis Christian Patriots are returning to the state tournament after pulling away late in an 8-1 win over No. 7 St. Joseph’s Academy Friday at River Ridge.

John Curtis took a 1-0 lead after one inning and led 3-0 after three innings. It was 3-1 after four innings before Curtis added a run in the fifth to make it 4-1.

Kate Kempton took care of business on the mound, allowing just one run and she contributed a two-run triple as part of a four-run sixth inning. Kai Goodman added a pair of RBI.

Annaleise Simpson drove in the lone run for the Redstickers. Ana-Grace Garcia took the loss.

The Patriots return to a familiar place in Frasch Park at Sulphur next week to play in the semifinals against No. 6 Pineville Thursday at 5 p.m. Pineville blasted No. 3 Tioga 13-0. It was Tioga who defeated John Curtis in the semifinals a year ago. John Curtis has won 12 state championships since 2003.

No. 5 seed Archbishop Chapelle is also returning to Sulphur for a second straight season.

The Chipmunks defeated District 9-5A rival and No. 4 seed Mount Carmel Academy 5-3 at Muss Bertolino Stadium.

It was the second win for the Chipmunks over the Cubs, whom they defeated 1-0 March 19 in a game streamed live on CrescentCitySports.com in a pitcher’s dual.

This time around, the Chipmunks were able to solve Mount Carmel pitching for five runs on eight hits.

Chapelle ace and Southern Miss signee Kayla Giardina allowed three runs on just two hits. She walked two and struck out eight to get the win.

The Chipmunks scored two runs in the top of the second inning on an RBI double by Katie Deslatte and a sacrifice fly by Kam DiMaggio.

Chapelle made it 3-0 in the fourth inning on an RBI single by Taylor Allen and increased the lead to 4-0 with a run in the fifth inning on an RBI infield single by Kelsie Schmidt. The Chipmunks added a run in the sixth to take a seemingly comfortable 5-0 lead.

The Cubs rallied in the bottom of the seventh inning with a three-run home run by Chloe Krey but Giardina pitched out of further trouble to get the big win.

Allie Domangue had two hits for Chapelle while A. Killian had the other hit for Mount Carmel. Paige Reuther took the loss, going 4 1/3 innings, allowing four runs (one earned) on six hits. Reuther walked one and struck out four. Krey pitched the final 2 2/3 innings, allowing an unearned run on two hits. The Cubs were victimized by three errors, contributing to four of the five Chapelle runs being unearned.

Chapelle (21-7) advances to Sulphur to face a rematch with No. 1 St. Thomas More Thursday at 5 p.m. St. Thomas More blasted No. 8 Alexandria 11-1. A year ago, the Cougars, as the top seed, edged the Chipmunks, who were the fifth seed, by a 5-4 margin in the semifinals before St. Thomas More won the state title with a 7-3 win over Tioga.

In Select Division II action, No. 2 Vandebilt Catholic whipped No. 7 Teurlings Catholic 9-2 at Houma. It is the second straight year that the Terriers have eliminated the Rebels in the playoffs. Vandebilt Catholic beat Teurlings Catholic 7-3 in the regional round in 2023.

Vandebilt Catholic (27-5), which has won a Louisiana-best 14 state championships, advances to Sulphur to face the winner of today’s game No. 6 Academy of Our Lady and No. 3 Archbishop Hannan, who play at 5 p.m. at Coquille Park. The Terriers edged Academy of Our Lady 6-5 in the semifinals last season before falling 4-1 to Buckeye in the final.

In Select Division III quarterfinal action, No. 3 Houma Christian advanced with an 11-1 win over No. 6 D’Arbonne Woods in a game shortened to five innings by the mercy rule.

D’Arbonne Woods scored a run in the top of the first inning but that would be it for the visitors.

The Warriors scored three runs in the bottom of the first and three more in the second to lead 6-1. Houma Christian added a run in the fourth and finished it with four runs in the fifth inning.

Jadyn Yesco belted two home runs and drove in five runs while Destiny Pierce homered and drove in two runs for Houma Christian. Ansley Molaison had two hits and Riley Folse had a hit and an RBI.

Briley Lovell went the distance, allowing a run on two hits to pick up the win. Lovell walked five and struck out four.

Houma Christian (22-9) advances to face the winner of today’s 2 p.m. matchup pitting No. 10 Pope John Paul II at No. 2 St. Charles Catholic

Prep Softball Playoff Results from Friday, April 19
Non-Select Division I
(2) Southside 15, (7) West Ouachita 2

Non-Select Division II
(4) North Vermilion 1, (5) Iowa 0

Non-Select Division III (1) Sterlington 12, (8) Caldwell Parish 0
(11) Many 8, (14) Rosepine 2
(2) Doyle 4, (7) Loreauville 1

Non-Select Division IV (1) Logansport , (9) Vinton
(5) French Settlement 15, (4) LaSalle 8
(3) Montgomery 3, (6) Merryville 0
(7) Oakdale 1, (2) Oak Grove 0

Non-Select Division V
(6) Stanley 10, (3) Choudrant 1
(7) Anacoco 14, (2) Zwolle 2

Select Division I (1) St. Thomas More 11, (8) Alexandria 1
(5) Archbishop Chapelle 5, (4) Mount Carmel Academy 3
(6) Pineville 13, (3) Tioga 0
(2) John Curtis Christian 8, (7) St. Joseph’s Academy 1

Select Division II (1) Buckeye 8, (8) David Thibodaux 0
(2) Vandebilt Catholic 9, (7) Teurlings Catholic 2

Select Division III (1) Calvary Baptist 7, (8) Patrick Taylor 0
(3) Houma Christian 11, (6) D’Arbonne Woods 1

Select Division IV (1) Opelousas Catholic 2, (8) Ouachita Christian 0
(5) Ascension Catholic 11, (4) St. Frederick 5
(6) Sacred Heart 3, (3) Riverside Academy 2
(2) Catholic (PC) 8, (7) St. Mary’s 0

Select Division V (1) Grace Christian 13, (8) Avoyelles Public Charter 0

Prep Softball Playoff Schedule for Saturday, April 20
Non-Select Division I
(8) Live Oak at (1) Dutchtown, 11 a.m.
(12) East Ascension at (4) Ponchatoula, 3 p.m.
(6) Sam Houston at (3) St. Amant, 2 p.m.

Non-Select Division II
(14) Albany at (6) Grant, 11 a.m.
(7) Beau Chene at (2) Lutcher, 11 a.m.

Non-Select Division III
(5) Jena at (4) Kaplan, 4:30 p.m.

Non-Select Division V
(5) Converse at (4) Bell City, Noon

Select Division II
(6) Academy of Our Lady at (3) Archbishop Hannan, 5 p.m. a Coquille Park

Select Division III
(5) Notre Dame at (4) Holy Savior Menard, 2 p.m.
(10) Pope John Paul II at (2) St. Charles Catholic, 2 p.m.