Softball State Title Games: John Curtis, Hannan, Holden triumph while St. Charles Catholic falls just short

It used to be the storied John Curtis Christian football program which dominated competition to win state championships.

Now, the dominant program at the River Ridge school is its softball team.

Junior Madison Laiche struck out 13 Red Stickers in a complete game victory as top-seeded John Curtis successfully defended its Division I state championship with a 4-1 victory over No. 3 St. Joseph’s Academy in Broussard at St. Julien Park.

The title is the 12th overall for John Curtis, second most in Louisiana softball history. It is third state championship in five years for the Lady Patriots and the seventh in the last 10 years.

John Curtis (29-3) took the early lead when Kai Goodman was hit by a pitch, stole second and scored on a bunt single by Shelby Vitrano.

Molly Ashworth got St. Joseph’s even with an RBI double in the second inning at 1-1.

It stayed that way until the bottom of the fifth inning when Jacke Melancon doubled and Jasmine Roach delivered Melancon with an RBI double to make it 2-1.

The Lady Patriots added a run in the sixth inning on another double by Melancon, driving in a run to make it 3-1. Roach then singled home Melancon to complete the scoring.

In Division II, second seed Archbishop Hannan captured its third consecutive state championship, shutting out No. 1 Haynes Academy 3-0.

The story was the performance of Tristyn Baugh, who pitched a no-hitter for the Hawks.

Baugh walked two and struck out seven in a masterpiece.

Scoreless into the third inning, Hannan (19-11) got three runs in the frame. Amelia Mares had an RBI double and Avery Bowers delivered a two-run single.

Mares and Bowers each had two hits for the Hawks.

Delaney Walker took the loss for the Yellow Jackets (26-6). Walker pitched four innings, allowing three runs on nine hits and struck out five.

It is the second straight time that Hannan has beaten Haynes in the final. The Hawks won 12-2 in six innings in the championship game in 2021.

Congratulations to the Division II Softball State Champions, Archbishop Hannan! 🏆🥎 pic.twitter.com/ICcuHVQbA7

— LHSAA (@LHSAAsports) May 2, 2022

In Division III, top seed Notre Dame made it four straight state championships, fending off No. 2 St. Charles Catholic 6-4. It is the sixth state title for Notre Dame.

Notre Dame (29-5) scored a run in the bottom of the first before St. Charles Catholic got even with a run in the top of the second. The Pioneers took a 3-1 lead with two runs in the third and took control with three runs in the bottom of the fifth to make it 6-1.

The Comets fought back with two runs in the sixth to make it 6-3 and scored a run in the seventh to make it 6-4 and had the bases loaded but Poncho got out of the jam with outstanding defense behind her.

Corine Poncho belted a two-run home run for the Pios and picked up the save, pitching the final two innings. Callie Matrie had a hit and two RBI and Maddie Murrell drove in a run. Abigail Savoy had two hits.

Bailee Royer got the win, going five innings, allowing three hits with five strikeouts.

Kamryn Cancienne took the loss, going the distance, allowing eight hits and struck out three. Cancienne had a hit and two RBI for the Comets. Adrienne Arnett had two hits for St. Charles Catholic (25-5).

In the non-select championships at Frasch Park in Sulphur, top seed Holden whipped No. 7 Anacoco 10-4 for its fifth straight Class B state title.

Gracie Duffy went 3 for 3 with a pair of home runs and four RBI while Taylor Douglas and Kacey Breithaupt also homered for the Rockets. Douglas had two hits and three RBI.

Duffy put Holden on top with a three-run homer in the first inning and added another run in the frame to take a 4-0 lead. The lead grew to 7-0 in the third inning, highlighted by a two-run single by Douglas.

After Anacoco cut the deficit to 7-4 in the top of the sixth, Holden put the game away with home runs by Duffy, Douglas and Briethaupt in the bottom of the sixth.

Douglas went the distance to pick up the win, striking out nine.

It was the second straight year that Holden beat Anacoco in the title game, having won 11-6 in the 2021 championship game.

SCORES–STATE FINALS

Class 5A
(2) St. Amant 10, (4) West Monroe 0 (5 innings)

Class 4A
(1) North DeSoto 11, (10) Franklin Parish 1

Class 3A
(7) Buckeye 8, (1) Iowa 6

Class 2A
(1) Many 3, (2) Port Barre 0

Class 1A
(1) Montgomery 8, (2) LaSalle 3

Class B
(1) Holden 10, (7) Anacoco 4

Class C
(1) Calvin 11, (2) Harrisonburg 1

Division I
(1) John Curtis Christian, (3) St. Joseph’s Academy 1

Division II
(2) Archbishop Hannan 3, (1) Haynes Academy 1

Division III
(1) Notre Dame 6, (2) St. Charles Catholic 4

Division IV
(2) Calvary Baptist 8, (1) Opelousas Catholic 4

Division V
(1) Claiborne Christian 15, (2) Northside Christian 1 (5 innings)