Pineville (32-5), the No. 4 seed, lost 1-0 in 11 innings to Mount Carmel in Saturday’s championship game after defeating St. Amant, 1-0, in the semi-finals.
Mandeville (18-12-2), the No. 21 seed, couldn’t generate much against Grimes in Friday’s quarterfinal game.
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Grimes posted eight strikeouts. She only allowed three base runners. The hit to Ocmond, a first inning walk to Heather Nastasia, and Nastasia also reached on a throwing error in the fourth inning.
Grimes shared her thoughts on the game.
“It was an awesome win. I was nervous throughout the game because it was such a close game. It was exciting for my teammates to come through. We were confident, and wanted it really bad. I’m really proud of my teammates, and I love my girls. We really are a team,” Grimes said.
“My rise ball was working for me. That’s my out pitch, and it has been working for me all year.”
Pineville coach Tim Smith in his eighth season as head coach, said it was a tremendous playoff game.
“It seems like we have had several close games in the past couple weeks. Kelee (Grimes) did a heck of a job. She’s been steady for us all year. Kelee has pitched over 80 games in her high school career as a four-year starter,” Smith said.
Smith described his ace as a super pitcher, and a quality person.
Mandeville senior hurler Jennie Trepagnier (14-6-2) pitched a four-hitter only giving up a run in the bottom of the sixth inning. Grimes drew a leadoff walk on a 3-1 pitch. Courtesy runner Brooke Smith replaced her at first.
Pineville catcher Ashley Blackman coaxed a walk on a 3-2 pitch, and was replaced by courtesy runner Paige Bordelon to put runners at first and second.
Kari Kelone put down a perfect bunt just to the right of the mound for an infield single to load the bases.
With Mandeville’s infield playing in, Pineville’s Alyssa Ford hit a grounder to Lady Skippers’ shortstop Mel Gaines, who gunned a throw to Ocmond to force out Smith at the plate to the delight of the Mandeville fans. First baseman Kasey Brister delivered an RBI sacrifice fly to left to score Bordelon with what proved to be the winning run.
Mandeville left fielder Joanna Rochelle made the catch and threw home, but the throw wasn’t in time. On the play, Ocmond rifled a throw to Gaines, who was covering third to catch Kelone, trying to advance on the throw home to end the inning.
Mandeville had its last chance in the top of the seventh with Ocmond finally touching Grimes for the Lady Skippers’ first and only hit. Grimes retired the next three hitters in order stranding Ocmond at first to record the 1-0 quarterfinal victory.
Mandeville first-year coach Rodney Corkern, who had coached Lady Skippers’ softball in the mid-1990s, had to fight back his emotions following Friday’s ballgame.
“I’m extremely proud of the girls. They did a tremendous job to get here. Our seniors were our leaders. They worked really hard,” Corkern said.
“Both pitchers pitched extremely well. It was a great game. It’s just a shame that one of us had to lose. Our girls have no reason to hang their heads. The game could have gone either way,” Corkern added.
Trepagnier said her teammates had an awesome season.
“We couldn’t have asked for any more. It was an honor coming up here to represent our school. At the beginning of the season, we never dreamed we would be here after getting off to such a slow start. Getting here was a big deal,” Trepagnier said.
Nastasia, the Lady Skippers starting center fielder, said it was a great experience playing in Sulphur.
“I hope the team gets to come back next year. I’m glad I got to have the experience before I graduated because this was my first time. It was an awesome experience. I’m really glad my teammates and I had a chance to go through it,” Nastasia said.
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