Kaplan softball helps community heal after death of student

It's been a tough, emotional week for the Kaplan High community.

Losing one of your own is always difficult, especially when it comes at such a young age.

But one of the powers of sport, is it gives people a release valve; a source of joy among the madness of every day life. It can help people heal.

And the Lady Pirates of Kaplan High did their part in healing the community after the death of a student, reaching the finals of LHSAA 3A Fast Pitch 56.

While the Lady Pirates eventually lost the game to John Curtis, who have won the last four state championships, the community banded together around the team's run to the state championship game.

Kaplan principle Dr. Janet Guerrini said the town of Kaplan supported the team throughout the season, and even though their team came up short in the final game they were proud of what they accomplished.

"I think you see a town that knows how to support in tough times and in good times this community will stand by Kaplan High," Guerrini said. "Regardless of what happened tonight we are proud of our kids."

Guerrini said the Lady Pirates had a special spectator for their first state championship final experience since the 2007 season.

"We had our own special angel tonight he was with us tonight as a Kaplan student," Guerrini said.

Throughout the game the Kaplan cheering section stood behind their team, whether it was celebrating Abby Trahan's two-run home run to take the lead in the third, or supporting them as they watched John Curtis storm back to take the lead in the bottom of the sixth.

"They came together and were one behind this team and will continue to be one," Guerrini said. "It has been a difficult week but we have bonded and gotten stronger."

Guerrini said despite the loss, her school would continue to heal and unite together in tragedy.

"The feeling that you get when you walk in Kaplan high school is that we are one," Guerrini said. "We love each other and we are together."

The Lady Pirates fell apart in the bottom of the sixth inning with a three-run lead, committing four errors and surrendering their lead

"It's very difficult for our kids right now. But we have to learn. It's just tough," Kaplan coach Shay Herpin said. "When you shut them down all game long and then give up a walk and a couple of errors and it falls apart.

"But sometimes you have to go through the bad stuff to get to the good."

With the community rallying around their performance, the Lady Pirates may have lost the game but they scored a gigantic win for the people of their city.

West Ouachita 6, Teurlings 1

The Lady Rebels offense struggled for a second consecutive game, and staff ace Summer Ellyson wasn't able to duplicate her quarterfinal performance as the Lady Chiefs advanced to the final against North DeSoto.

West Ouachita coach Ashley Hoyle said the Lady Chiefs had success against Ellyson after facing her two years ago in the playoffs and developing a game plan off of that knowledge.

"We knew if we could get ahead in the count we would have success," Hoyle said.

Hoyle said her pitching staff kept the Lady Rebels off balance throughout the game by focusing on their unorthodox strength: their lack of velocity.

"Honestly, our pitching staff doesn't throw very hard," Hoyle said. "So we make sure we play solid defense behind them and it really throws some teams off."

Teurlings coach Lauren Delahoussaye refused to comment following the game.

John Curtis 6, North Vermilion 5

North Vermilion's comeback came up just short in its semifinal loss to top-ranked John Curtis, scoring three runs in the top of the seventh before succumbing to the John Curtis.

All three runs in the top of the seventh came courtesy of a three-run home run by junior first baseman Claire Meyers. Meyers finished with four RBIs on the day, and hit six combined on the weekend.

North Vermillion left eight runners on base, but stranded seven Curtis runners.

After its win against Parkview Baptist in the quarterfinal North Vermilion coach Joy Leblanc said her team needed to slow down and avoid errors, especially against a high-powered team like John Curtis.

But North Vermilion struggled in the field again, committing three errors and allowing two unearned runs.

St. Joseph 4, Northside Christian 3

The Lady Warriors lost in walk-off fashion in their semifinal matchup against the Lady Eagles after tying the game in top of the seventh.

Northside Christian allowed a game winning, RBI-single from Alexis Barker to score Emily Link from second base.

The Lady Warriors tied the game in the seventh on an RBI-groundout from Zoie Hanagriff. Hanagriff left the game in the bottom of the fifth after injuring herself while trying to beat out a single at first base.

Northside Christian coach Ryan Hanagriff said Zoie twisted her ankle on the play but when the opportunity came in seventh she asked to be put back in to bat and delivered despite not being able to put weight on her right leg.

"We've had an absolute great season," Hanagriff said. "We done well in district and we knew if we played our game that we would go deep in the playoffs. I couldn't be prouder