| Vandebilt Catholic High School Lady Terrier Softball |
| 2008 Softball Roster |
| VANDEBILT CATHOLIC 1, LIVE OAK 0 (10 Innings) April 26, 2008 STATE CHAMPIONS!!!!!! Congratulations to Coach Margaret Johnson and the Vandebilt Catholic Lady Terriers. You are the Champions of Class 4-A in High School Softball for the State of Louisiana. _________________________________ Martinez in All-Star Games May 1, 2008 BATON ROUGE -- Vandebilt Catholic senior Lauren Martinez has been selected to play in the Louisiana High School Coaches Association all-star softball games at the Louisiana College Softball Complex beginning at 4 p.m. on May 15. Martinez, who helped the Lady Terriers to the Class 4A state title and signed with Nicholls State, played second base for Vandebilt during her prep career. She is listed as a utility player for the all-star doubleheader in Pineville. _________________________________________ Vandebilt Finds Winning Formula April 29, 2008 Kelly McElroy Staff Writer-The Courier SULPHUR -- The goose bumps on the arms of Vandebilt Catholic softball coach Margaret Johnson were the same following another state title on Saturday night, but the way in which this team won its Class 4A championship was different. There weren’t any long home runs in the playoffs, and there weren’t any amazing defensive plays like the ones that lifted Vandebilt to state titles in the past. The 2008 version of the state champion Lady Terriers relied on the left arm of Lauren Crane, the solid, fundamentally sound defense behind her, execution on offense and poise under tremendous pressure in two one-run games Saturday to claim the program’s 13th ever state title. They clinched it with a 1-0 victory over Live Oak in a 10-inning game at Frasch Park on Saturday night. Earlier in the day, the Lady Terriers advanced to its 18th state title game with a 1-0 victory over District 8-4A rival No. 5 Belle Chasse in an eight-inning semifinal. No. 1 seeded Vandebilt (30-5-2) outscored its opponents 47-0 in the playoffs, largely because of what Crane did in the circle. In five playoffs games (the first was a 33-0 win over Karr) Crane didn’t allow a run, gave up 17 hits, struck out 45 batters and walked six, and for good measure added the title-winning hit that scored Chelsea Allen in the top of the 10th inning against No. 3 Live Oak on Saturday night. "She became the best pitcher she could become," Johnson said. "What she did in the playoffs says a lot. She controlled the tempo and believed in her defense behind her." One thing that was the same for Vandebilt, which beat Bastrop in the second round and Neville in the quarterfinals, this season was it got solid play from its group of seniors throughout the year and especially in the postseason. Crane, Lauren Martinez, Kacey Clark, Heather Bergeron and Maddie Constant all contributed mightily after falling to St. Thomas More in the semifinals as juniors in 2007. "I can’t say enough about what they did. Even before we started softball in January, our seniors were already eyeing the tournament," Johnson said. "They wanted to end their senior year with the gold, and they fought. It was a hard battle because we faced some tough competition. They were tremendous leaders. They were determined." Crane started her high-school career at Mt. Carmel in New Orleans, but after Hurricane Katrina shut the city down for a time, her family moved to Houma and she enrolled at Vandebilt. "It was really tough my sophomore year because I really loved my (old) school," Crane said. "But once I got to know Vandebilt, I knew I was better off. I couldn’t ask for better coaches. They taught me everything I know about softball." As for Mt. Carmel, it won the Class 5A crown over Pineville minutes after and just feet from where Crane and Vandebilt took home the 4A title. "We were in the same hotel and we were cheering each other on," Crane said. "I am happy for them." _______________________________________________ Lady Terriers Win Lucky No. 13 Kelly McElroy Staff Writer-The Courier SULPHUR -- You would think out of everyone involved, Vandebilt Catholic ace pitcher Lauren Crane would be the one who knew. She, after all, was the one throwing the ball. But when the lefty was informed that in leading the Lady Terriers to the Class 4A state championship that she allowed exactly zero runs in five postseason games, a surprised look appeared on her face. "Oh," Crane said. "I didn’t even realize that." It’s true, Lauren. Five games plus zero runs allowed equals a Class 4A state championship for you and your teammates. The Lady Terriers brought home their 13th state title in school history with a 1-0 10-inning victory over Live Oak on Saturday night on Field 13 of Frasch Park. In all fairness to Crane, who had the game-winning hit in the top of the 10th inning that scored Chelsea Allen on Saturday, Vandebilt coach Margaret Johnson had the team mentally focused on nothing but the next out during the postseason and not on things like final scores. And it needed to be. No. 1 Vandebilt (31-5-2) got itself out of jam after jam in winning two extra innings games on Saturday for its first state title since 2006. Simply put, it was intense, but the Lady Terriers were not going to be denied. "I think our mental toughness was the best it’s been all year," Johnson said. "We played with a lot of heart. We were all heart. There are a lot of pressure situations here. We held our composure. We held our composure. Composure, character and heart, I think that describes this team." Again, Crane, who credited her defense for its solid play, was stellar. In the title game, she allowed no runs, five hits, struck out five batters, walked two and added the game-winning hit that eventually allowed her to stop throwing from the circle and instead, have her team celebrate around her in it. "Lauren Crane just wanted it so bad. That came out in her, to be the best pitcher she could be," Johnson said. "To shutout all of those teams in the playoffs says a lot. She was an MVP for us." Vandebilt (one error) clinched the victory in the 10th inning after Allen (two singles) recorded a hit, moved to second on a sacrifice by Alaina Guidry and scored on a double by Crane (two hits). Both teams had two hits each in the fourth inning, but both pitchers got out of trouble. Vandebilt, playing in its 18th state title game, had another chance in the sixth inning after Lauren Martinez and Guidry hit back-to-back singles with one out. But Live Oak pitcher Brittany Gonzales (one run, seven hits, five strikeouts, one walk) forced a popout off the bat of Crane and Sally Tramell made a sliding catch in left field on a ball hit by Maddie Constant to end the inning. Live Oak (31-4-1) got a runner to third base with two outs in the sixth inning, but Crane got a flyout and the game went to the seventh inning. Vandebilt’s Mindy Robichaux singled with one out in the seventh inning, Monique Arceneaux came on to run and Kelsey Coombs sacrificed her to third base, but a strikeout looking ended the inning. The Lady Eagles, who lost in the Class 4A title game for the second straight year, got a runner to third base in the bottom of the seventh inning, but Crane forced a groundout with two outs and the contest went to extra innings. "We had our chances a couple of times late in the game. We should have taken advantage of them," Live Oak coach Michelle Morris said. "We are very disappointed, but we’ll be back." Vandebilt loaded the bases with one out in the top of the eighth inning after Crane was intentionally walked, but Allen was thrown out at home after a fielder’s choice by Constant and Kacey Clark popped out for the third out. In the bottom of the ninth inning, Live Oak put a runner on third base, but Constant fielded a grounder near the third-base bag and got the runner out, before Crane’s hit later helped the Lady Terriers win it in the top of the 10th inning. Vandebilt seniors Crane, Constant, Clark, Martinez and Heather Bergeron went out state champions. "It means a lot to us," Constant, a four-year starter, said. "It was awesome. We stayed focused and prepared. We did it. I couldn’t have asked for a better season. I love these girls." ______________________________________ VANDEBILT CATHOLIC 1, BELLE CHASSE 0 (8 Innings) April 26, 2008 CLASS 4A SEMIFINALS Kelly McElroy Staff Writer-The Courier Earlier Saturday on Field 13 of Frasch Park, the Lady Terriers got two key hits in the eighth inning from two players who battled adversity earlier in the day to help beat their District 8- 4A co-champions in extra innings. Constant, who was the third out at the plate three times with runners in scoring position, and Clark, who was hit by the bat of a Belle Chasse player after a practice swing in the third inning, both came through with key singles. With Constant at third base after the hit by Clark (two hits), she scored the winning run following a passed ball to send Vandebilt into the title game. It was by the same score and in the same fashion No. 5 Belle Chasse (26-6) beat Vandebilt the first time the teams played in district action. The Lady Terriers (seven hits, no errors) won the second regular season game to share the district title. "Their pitcher (Lauren Wilson) did a good job of keeping us off balance," Johnson said. "But the thing that was constant was she kept going outside on us. (Assistant) Coach (James) Spearman told them to step toward the ball. Maddie and Kacey had two beautiful line drives going with the pitch." Crane (six hits, nine strikeouts, two walks) got the complete-game victory and had two of the seven Vandebilt hits. She did not allow more than one Belle Chasse hit per inning and the Lady Cardinals didn’t get a runner past second base. "Crane pitched outstanding," Johnson said. "Especially since this was the third time they saw her. She fought hard out there." Vandebilt stranded eight runners on base, which included at least one runner in scoring position in every inning but the second and seventh innings. "We had the bases loaded and no outs (in the third inning) and didn’t score," Johnson said. "That had me a little concerned, but we didn’t get down, and we didn’t let it take the momentum from us." Wilson took the loss for Belle Chasse, which committed two errors on defense and stranded five runners, after going the distance, giving up seven hits, striking out a batter and walking two batters. Vandebilt beat Belle Chasse in the 2006 Class 4A title game and in the 1988 Class 2A title game. __________________________________________ VANDEBILT CATHOLIC 6, NEVILLE 0 April 25, 2008 Lady Terriers get an impressive win to advance to the semi-finals. Chris Singleton Staff Writer-The Courier SULPHUR -- It was business as usual for the Vandebilt Catholic Lady Terriers on the first day of the Fast Pitch 56 state softball tournament on Friday. During their Class 4A quarterfinal playoff game against No. 9 Neville, the top-seeded Lady Terriers used great pitching, a stingy defense and timely hitting at the plate to pull away with a 6-0 victory. With the win, Vandebilt (29-5-2 overall) advances to today’s semifinals where it will face Belle Chasse at 1 p.m. The game will be played on Field 13 at Frasch Park. If Vandebilt wins in the semifinals, they will play in the Class 4A finals on Field 16 at 7 p.m. today. Against Neville (19-13), Vandebilt starting pitcher Lauren Crane enjoyed a stellar performance in the circle. In the complete game victory, she allowed no runs, four hits, one walk, three hit batters and tossed 10 strikeouts. "Lauren really came out and set the tone for us," Vandebilt coach Margaret Johnson said. "She really got us going. She did a great job on the mound and was really consistent with her pitches." On defense, the Lady Terriers made play after play, finishing the game with no errors and picked off one base runner. And at the plate, Vandebilt finished with six hits, which included a big fifth inning where it scored four runs on five hits to put the game out of reach. "It was just a complete team victory," Johnson said. "Once we settled down and got the nervousness out of system following a slow start, we really started to play like I knew we could. It was a good win." After the first two innings of play, the Lady Terriers were held scoreless, but all that changed in the bottom of the third. Heather Bergeron (2-for-3) led off the inning with a double to the left-field wall, and after advancing to third base on a steal, she scored the game’s first run on a passed ball. Later in the third, Crane hit a sacrifice fly RBI that scored Lauren Martinez, who walked, which made the score 2-0. Vandebilt put the game out of reach in the fifth inning. With the bases loaded, Maddie Constant (2-for-3) hit a RBI single that scored Martinez. On the next at-bat, with the bases still loaded, Alaina Guidry blasted a three-run double to the left field wall, which gave Vandebilt a comfortable 6-0 lead. At the top of the seventh, Neville tried to make a late rally by putting two runners on base, but Crane came up with two big strikeouts to seal the win. Neville, who was making its first-ever trip to the state tournament, ended the game with four errors. "Vandebilt is just a great team," Neville coach Jeff Tannehill said. "Coach (Margaret) Johnson does a great job of running that program. They are a tough team to beat. Their pitcher is good and they have some great hitters. We have nothing to hang our heads about. We just lost to a better team." Neville starting pitcher Caitlin Taylor (seven runs, six hits, one walk and two strikeouts) took the complete game loss. Madeline Fechter, Jessica Robinson, Ashton Burch and Leigh Ann Ramsey led the Lady Tigers with one hit each at the plate. Crane, a senior, said the Lady Terriers are motivated to win their 13 state title in school history, especially after losing a heartbreaker to St. Thomas More in last year’s semifinals. "As the top seed, we know everyone is going to come out and give us their all," Crane said, "but we’re hungry and motivated for a championship. We’ve worked hard all year long for this. It should be very exciting (today). I hope we can do it." ____________________________________________________ CLASS 4A QUARTERFINALS NO. 9 NEVILLE VS. NO. 1 VANDEBILT CATHOLIC After winning the state title in 2006, the Lady Terriers (26-5-2) fell to St. Thomas More in the Class 4A semifinals last year. Vandebilt seniors Crane, Maddie Constant, Lauren Martinez, Kacey Clark and Heather Bergeron no doubt remember the feeling of watching the Lady Cougars celebrate the win over the Lady Terriers last season. "After winning it in 2006 and losing to St. Thomas More last season, I think it was a letdown," Vandebilt coach Margaret Johnson said. "I really believe the seniors came into this season wanting to make it back to the state tournament. Their goal is to do everything they can to try and win the state championship. We have the experience of playing in an amazing atmosphere." Crane has been the top pitcher for the Lady Terriers this season and is expected to log most of the innings in Sulphur. "We came up short last year. We were kind of young," Crane said. "The whole team wants it, but for the seniors, this is our last chance to win state. We are a lot more determined and we want to make it all the way. We are definitely going to have to play perfect defense and hit the ball. I can’t wait to get there." Vandebilt, which owns 12 state titles and five runner-up crowns, beat No. 32 Karr and No. 16 Bastrop to advance to the quarterfinals. Neville (20-11-1), which fell to Vandebilt by one run in the regionals last season, beat Morgan City and Teurlings Catholic to advance. "Everyone knows now if you lose, you go home," Johnson said. "Most people really up their play, especially on defense. We have the opportunity to go there and do very well. Whether or not we are the best team in 4A is yet to be determined, but the best team doesn’ t always win. Sometimes it’s the team that has the best weekend. I am happy for these kids. I am glad to be taking them back." The winner of the game will play either No. 5 Belle Chasse or No. 4 Sam Houston in the semifinals at 1 p.m. Saturday on Field 13. The Class 4A state title game will be played at 7 p.m. Saturday on Field 16. ______________________________________________________ VANDEBILT CATHOLIC 7, BASTROP 0 April 18, 2008 Terriers punch their ticket to Sulfur!!! Kelly McElroy Staff Writer-The Courier HOUMA – The first sign of Vandebilt Catholic’s softball game on Friday being more important than all the others this season was the sight of male students dressed in female cheerleading uniforms. The larger-than-normal crowd and fans watching over the centerfield fence were other signs. The first-seeded Lady Terriers rewarded their faithful with a 7-0 Class 4A regional round victory over No. 16 Bastrop. “I think the crowd and cheerleaders we had were outstanding,” Vandebilt coach Margaret Johnson said. “We hadn’t had a second-round home game in a long time. It was great to be home.” The win assures Vandebilt (26-5-2) its 10th consecutive trip to the state tournament. The Lady Terriers will play either No. 9 Neville or No. 8 Teurlings Catholic at 2 p.m. Friday on Field 15 of Frasch Park in Sulphur. Vandebilt pitcher Lauren Crane worked seven innings in picking up the victory over Bastrop (15-11). She allowed two hits, struck out 11 batters and walked none. “It was disappointing because in our last four games, we scored double-digit runs,” Bastrop coach William Nason said. “But there is an old adage. Good pitching stops good hitting seven days a week. That’s what we ran into. We are trying to get to that level. But I am glad we were exposed to this atmosphere.” Vandebilt (six hits, two errors) got two runs in the first inning. One on an RBI triple to the right-field corner by Crane that scored Chelsea Allen, who reached on an error, and another when Saddie LeMaire, running for Crane, scored on a wild pitch. The Lady Terriers added three runs in the fifth inning when Lauren Martinez, Allen and Monica Arcenaux crossed the plate. Maddi Constant had an RBI double in the inning. Martinez added a two-run double that scored Kelsey Coombs and Heather Bergeron to close the scoring in the sixth inning. Starter Miranda Wyatt took the loss for Bastrop after working 41/3 innings before giving way to Amelia Montgomery. “Both of my pitchers are freshman, and that’s how we got through the year,” Nason said. “Neither of them are really strong enough or overpowering enough to go seven innings. They did a great job though. We made a couple of errors that hurt us a little bit.” Tiffany Lee and Victoria Gibson each had a hit for Bastrop, which committed two errors in the game. ________________________________________ VANDEBILT CATHOLIC 33, KARR 0 April 14, 2008 Kelly McElroy Staff Writer -The Courier HOUMA – Vandebilt Catholic was not rewarded with a walkthrough the bi-district round of the playoffs after receiving the No. 1 seed in Class 4A, but it sure did seem like it. The top-seeded Lady Terriers dismantled No. 32 Edna Karr 33-0 on Monday afternoon to advance to the regional round. The game was stopped after the top of the third inning because of the mercy rule. Karr (9-10) was making its first-ever softball playoff appearance. Vandebilt has 12 state titles and five state runner-up trophies. “We are trying to build something,” Karr coach Devin Jones said. “We have a bunch of first- time softball players. Softball in (New Orleans) isn’t where it should be, but we are going to get it right. Just give us a few years.” The Lady Terriers (27-5-2) will play either No. 17 Parkway or No. 16 Bastrop in the second round of the playoffs. Those two teams play today. If Bastrop wins, the game will be played in Houma. If Parkway wins, the game will be in Bossier City. Lauren Crane worked a no-hitter in the circle for Vandebilt after going the complete three innings. She struck out nine of the 11 batters she faced, gave up a walk and hit a batter. Vandebilt, which sent 43 batters to the plate in its two at-bats, scored 16 runs in the first inning and 17 runs in the second inning. It pounded out 18 hits and capitalized on 10 Karr errors. “I liked our focus,” Vandebilt coach Margaret Johnson said. “We have to have our mental focus and be ready no matter who the other team in the other dugout is. I liked that we did that.” The Lady Terriers, who substituted heavily in the second inning, also drew six walks and had a batter hit by a pitch. “I thought we were very patient at the plate,” Johnson said. “We have seen a slow pitcher before, so I felt like we were very patient. I don’t think we forced any swings. We didn’t swing at many bad pitches.” Crane (4-for-4, three-run triple) and Kacey Clark (two doubles, two walks) led Vandebilt at the plate. “With the seeding now, every game gets tougher and tougher and tougher,” Johnson said. “We are glad to get this win, but we have to put it behind us and get ready for the next opponent.” ___________________________________ VANDEBILT CATHOLIC 1, ST. AMANT 1 April 10, 2008 At St. Amant, each team scored a run in the first inning and that took care of the scoring in a nondistrict playoff warmup game that was called after seven innings. Lauren Crane went the distance in the circle for the Lady Terriers (26-5-2). She gave up one hit, struck out eight batters, walked three and hit one. Vandebilt (nine hits) scored its run after Chelsea Allen (3-for-4) doubled, went to third on a single by Crane and scored on a double steal. Lauren Martinez had two singles for the Lady Terriers. St. Amant is now 25-5-1 on the season. ___________________________________ MOUNT CARMEL 3, VANDEBILT CATHOLIC 1 April 8, 2008 Derek Breaux Sports Correspondent-The Courier HOUMA – With their District 8-4A schedule complete, the Vandebilt Catholic Lady Terriers began tuning up for the Class 4A playoffs on Tuesday with a game against District 10-5A champion Mt. Carmel Academy. The Lady Terriers put up a good fight with ace pitcher Lauren Crane in the circle, but it was not enough as the Lady Cubs spoiled Vandebilt’s senior day with a 3-1 win. “We were very flat,” Vandebilt coach Margaret Johnson said. “We definitely weren’t focused for this game. We were not disciplined at the plate, and we were swinging at high pitches.” Mt. Carmel pitcher Meghan Patterson struck out six Vandebilt (26-5-1 overall) batters en route to the complete-game win. “We had runners in scoring position, but we didn’t do our job at the plate,” Johnson said. “We didn’t do very good executing on offense at all (Tuesday).” Mount Carmel (24-5-2) came out with the bats early, coring two runs in the top of the first inning. Monica Zeringue drove in lead off batter Alanna DiVittorio with a single. Patterson later brought in Zeringue on a double. The Lady Terriers answered back in the bottom of the first, on Crane’s triple, which scored Chelsea Allen. Unfortunately for the Lady Terriers, that was their only run of the game. Pitching dominated the middle part of the game, and Mt. Carmel didn’t score their next run until the top of the sixth. Patterson once again brought in Zeringue, but this time it was on a single. That was all the scoring the Lady Cubs needed to get the 3-1 victory. Crane also pitched a complete game with 10 strikeouts and two walks. “I liked our approach,” Mt. Carmel coach Jay Nugent said. “We knew we were going against a good pitcher, and we were just hoping to get some good, quality at bats. We were a little rocky on defense in the first inning, but we buckled down when we had to.” ________________________________ VANDEBILT CATHOLIC 8, KAPLAN 0 (Game 1) VANDEBILT CATHOLIC 4, KAPLAN 3 (Game 2) April 5, 2008 At Houma, the Lady Terriers improved to 26-4-1 overall with a pair of non-district wins on Saturday. In the first game, Lauren Crane picked up the complete-game win by holding the Lady Pirates to four hits and finishing with eight strikeouts. Kelsey Coombs had two hits and two RBIs, and Alaina Guidry and Maddie Constant each had two hits. Heather Bergeron added a single and three RBIs. In the second game, Vandebilt overcame a 3-2 deficit in the eighth inning for the win. Mindy Robichaux tied the game at 3 with an RBI single, scoring Constant. Lauren Martinez won the game with an RBI single, scoring Guidry. Martinez had three singles, and Crane added two hits and an RBI. Robichaux had two hits and an RBI. Martinez got the win, giving up six hits and had five strikeouts in seven innings. __________________________________________ VANDEBILT CATHOLIC 5, BRUSLY 0 April 4, 2008 At Houma, Lauren Crane finished with 12 strikeouts for the Lady Terriers in the nondistrict victory. Crane, who pitched the complete game, also allowed three hits and two walks. Vandebilt, which improved to 24-4-1 overall, finished with seven hits. Alaina Guidry had a double and single and Crane and Kacey Clark (single) each had two RBIs. ____________________________________________ VANDEBILT CATHOLIC 17, HELEN COX 0 At Harvey, Vandebilt’s Lauren Crane had nine strikeouts to help the Lady Terriers defeat Helen Cox. The game was called after three innings due to the 15-run mercy rule. Vandebilt, which finished with 12 hits, improved to 23-4-1 overall and 7-1 in district play. __________________________________ VANDEBILT CATHOLIC 3, HAHNVILLE 1 March 30, 2008 At the Riverside Tournament in Reserve, Lauren Crane was a force in the circle and at the plate for the Lady Terriers on Saturday. In the circle, Crane improved to 18-3-1 on the season with a complete-game three hitter. She also recorded 11 strikeouts and no walks. At the plate, Crane went 3-for-4 with two doubles and a single and drove in one run. Alaina Guidry added an RBI double for Vandebilt (22-4-1), and Lauren Martinez had a double. Vandebilt’s second game on Saturday was rained out. ________________________________________ Riverside Tournament Results March 29, 2008 Lady Terriers Win Two RESERVE – The Vandebilt Catholic Lady Terriers opened the Riverside Softball Tournament with wins over Riverside (3-1) and Archbishop Chapelle (3-0) on Friday. Lauren Martinez picked up the win in the first game, holding Riverside to one hit and struck out 14 in five innings. Saadie LeMaire pitched the final two innings for the save. Martinez led Vandebilt (21-4-1 overall) at the plate with a pair of doubles. Alaina Guidry finished with two singles. Against Chapelle, Lauren Crane got the win in the circle with a two-hit shutout. She also struck out four. Maddie Constant led the Lady Terriers with an RBI double. Vandebilt will face Hahnville at noon today and a Mississippi-based team at 4 p.m. today. ________________________________________ VANDEBILT CATHOLIC 5, MORGAN CITY 0 March 27, 2008 At Houma, Lauren Crane and Lauren Martinez combined to get the District 8-4A victory in the circle for the Lady Terriers. Crane ( no hits, eight strikeouts, one walk) worked four innings and Martinez (two hits, three strikeouts) worked three innings. Vandebilt (19-4-1, 6-1) scored single runs in the first and second innings and three runs in the third inning. Crane (single, double, RBI), Mindy Robichaux (single, double) and Maddie Constant (double, two RBIs) led the Lady Terriers at the plate. ____________________________________ VANDEBILT CATHOLIC 7, BELLE CHASSE 0 March 25, 2008 Lady Terriers move into a tie for first place with big district win. Kelly McElroy The Courier HOUMA -- What a difference 19 days made for the Vandebilt Catholic softball team. A little less than three weeks after falling to Belle Chasse 1-0 in District 8-4A play, the Lady Terriers beat the Lady Cardinals 7-0 in round two of district action on Tuesday at Vandebilt. Lauren Crane went the distance in the circle, gave up two hits, struck out seven batters and walked three for Vandebilt (16-4-1, 5-1 in district). The Lady Terriers also pounded out nine hits. "I think the difference was we are playing better ball, and we are playing as a team," Vandebilt coach Margaret Johnson said. "Crane pitched an outstanding game. We got some strong pitching, and we really hit the ball well. We had some solid, hard shots." Belle Chasse (16-4, 4-1 in district) threw its second pitcher, Alex Breland, instead of its No. 1 hurler, who beat Vandebilt the first time. The Lady Cardinals made five errors in the game and stranded five runners. "The bottom line was I expect both of the these teams to be in the playoffs, and we wanted to see how our other pitcher would throw against a quality opponent," Belle Chasse coach Paul Wolf said. "They had a lot of hits. They hit the ball a whole lot better, and we made errors. You can’t do that against a well-coached team." Vandebilt (no errors, eight runners left on) scored three runs in the fourth inning. Alaina Guidry scored on a fielder’s choice off the bat of Mindy Robichaux, who later scored on a fielder’s choice off the bat of Chelsea Allen (two runs) for a 2-0 Vandebilt lead. Allen later came home on an RBI single by Lauren Martinez (2-for-4, two RBIs). Vandebilt added four runs in the fifth inning. Robichaux (two runs) had a two-run double, Heather Bergeron brought in a run on a fielder’s choice and Martinez added an RBI double. Also at the plate in the game for Vandebilt, Crane was 3-for-4 with a double and Maddie Constant was 2-for-3 with a run scored. Breland took the loss after going six innings, giving up nine hits, striking out three batters and walking one. Johnson said the game provided a good test with the playoffs quickly approaching. "This was a really good game for us because in the beginning it was a playoff-type experience," Johnson said. "It was a little nerve racking, and that is what we’ll see in the playoffs. I was proud of the fact that we remained focused for seven innings. We didn’t do that in the beginning of the year. I believe our confidence is up as a team, and that is what we are striving for." Both coaches said the teams will likely not play a tie-breaking game to determine the district title. Instead the teams will be recognized as co-champions, and because the Louisiana High School Athletic Association will use a seeding system for the playoffs, there is no need to determine a No. 1 seed from the district. __________________________________ VANDEBILT CATHOLIC 20, ELLENDER 0 March 20, 2008 The Lady Terriers scored eight runs in the first inning, six runs in the third inning and six runs in the fifth inning to take the District 8-4A victory. Lauren Crane got the win in the circle for Vandebilt (17-4-1, 4-1 in district), and the game was stopped after the fifth inning. Alaina Guidry (three singles, four RBIs, three runs), Chelsea Allen (3-for-3, two RBIs, three runs), Crane (two doubles, two RBIs) and Kacey Clark (single, double, RBI) led Vandebilt at the plate. Ellender fell to 6-10 overall and 1-4 in district. _______________________________ VANDEBILT CATHOLIC 7, LUTCHER 0 March 19, 2008 Chris Singleton Staff writer-The Courier HOUMA -- The Vandebilt Catholic Lady Terriers took care of business at the plate and in the circle during their nondistrict game against Lutcher on Wednesday. The Lady Terriers blasted 14 hits on offense, and starting pitcher Lauren Crane allowed only one hit in seven innings of work, which led to a 7-0 victory over Lutcher at the Lady Terriers Field. Vandebilt coach Margaret Johnson said she is impressed with the way the Lady Terriers (16-4-1 overall, 3-1 in district) are playing right now. "I feel like right now we’re playing probably as good as we’ve played all year as far as intensity," Johnson said. "That’s what I like to see. I definitely feel good about where we are right now. I’m just really pleased with our whole attitude and demeanor on the field. We’ re much better along than we were three weeks ago." Crane, a senior, also had 11 strikeouts and three walks. Lutcher’s only hit against the left- handed pitcher came late in the seventh inning. "Lauren did a good job for us," Johnson said. "All of her pitches were working really well. For them to get one hit, that says a lot about your pitching as well as your defense." In the first inning, Lauren Martinez (2-for-2) led off with a walk and later scored on Crane’s (2-for-3) RBI double, giving the Lady Terriers a 1-0 lead. The Lady Terriers exploded for five runs in the second inning. Vandebilt’s Brittany McDonald (1-for-2) and Sadie LeMaire (2-for-3) each hit RBI singles that extended the lead to 3-0. With the bases loaded, Crane blasted a two-run double that put the Lady Terriers in front 5- 0. LeMaire scored Vandebilt’s sixth run on an error. Vandebilt scored its final run in the bottom of the sixth inning when Heather Bergeron’s RBI double scored Kelsey Coombs, who led off the inning with a single. Despite playing in windy conditions, Johnson said the Lady Terriers’ hitters fared well against Lutcher pitcher Maci Matherne, who allowed seven runs on 11 hits with three strikeouts and a walk. "I think we did a good job hitting the ball," Johnson said. "We had some hard hits balls, and we were able to score some runs." Lutcher’s Sara Schexnayder recorded the Lady Bulldogs only hit of the game with a single in the seventh. Lutcher coach Blake Orgeron declined comment after the game. ________________________________ Lutcher Tournament Scores March 15, 2008 VANDEBILT CATHOLIC 6, HANSON 1 ST. CHARLES CATHOLIC 1, VANDEBILT CATHOLIC 0 VANDEBILT CATHOLIC 3, DUTCHTOWN 2 ___________________________________ VANDEBILT CATHOLIC 15, HELEN COX 0 March 13, 2008 At Houma, the Lady Terriers moved to 13-3-1 overall and 3-1 in District 8-4A with the victory. The game was stopped after three inning because of the mercy rule. Lauren Crane got the win in the circle and struck out eight of the nine batters she faced. _____________________________________ VANDEBILT CATHOLIC 3, MORGAN CITY 0 March 11, 2008 At Morgan City, Lady Terriers pitcher Lauren Crane pitched a complete game no-hitter in Tuesday’s District 8-4A game against Morgan City. Crane finished with 13 strikeouts and allowed no walks or hits in seven innings. Vandebilt (12-3-1) scored a run each in the first, second and sixth innings. Vandebilt finished with 10 hits against Morgan City. Lauren Martinez led the Lady Terriers with two singles, two RBIs and a run. Other leaders for Vandebilt included Crane and Sadie LeMaire (two hits) and Maddie Constant and Kaci Clark (double). _____________________________________ LADY TERRIERS PICK UP WIN, TIE IN TOURNAMENT March 8, 2008 At the Lady Tor Softball Tournament in Sulphur, Vandebilt Catholic ended the tournament on Saturday with a 9-1 win over Nederland, Texas, and a 1-1 tie with Denham Springs. In the win over Nederland, the Lady Terriers (11-3-1) had 13 hits and three doubles. Maddie Constant, Lauren Crane, Heather Bergeron and Kelsey Coombs each had two hits, and Mindi Robichaux’s lone hit was an RBI triple. Crane had three strikeouts in the win. The Lady Terriers’ game against Denham Springs was stopped after the fifth inning because of the tournament time limit. The fifth inning was played using the international tiebreaker rule, but no one scored. Crane drove in Vandebilt’s lone run, and she struck out six and gave up on hit in the circle. _________________________________________________ Lady Tor Softball Tournament March 7, 2008 At the Lady Tor Softball Tournament in Sulphur, Vandebilt Catholic (10-3) won its first game, beating Port Neches Groves (Texas) 8-0, but lost its second game, falling to St. Amant, 4-0. In the opener, Lauren Crane (8-2) earned a one-hit win, striking out three and walking one. At the plate, Crane added a two-run homerun. Chelsea Allen went 2-for-2 and scored two runs, and Lauren Martinez had a double and two RBI’s. Against St. Amant, the game was called after three innings due to a 60-minute time limit. Saidee LeMaire (2-1) took the loss, giving up four hits, three walks and striking out three. _________________________________ BELLE CHASSE 1, VANDEBILT CATHOLIC 0 At Belle Chasse, the Lady Cardinals scored a first-inning run on a wild pitch, and it was all they needed to beat the Lady Terriers (9-2 overall, 1-1 district) in the District 8-4A game. Lauren Crane pitched for Vandebilt, allowing three hits and striking out six. Vandebilt had four hits in the game. _________________________________ Area teams set sights on reaching Sulphur Brent St. Germain Sports Editor-The Courier HOUMA -- Each year, the goal is the same for every high school softball team in Louisiana … to reach the state tournament in Sulphur. In 2007, the Vandebilt Catholic Lady Terriers accomplished that goal by advancing to the Class 4A semifinals. The Lady Terriers came up short of accomplishing their dream of back- to-back state titles with a 5-2 loss to eventual champion St. Thomas More. Vandebilt coach Margaret Johnson said her team is determined to make it to its 17th state tournament in the last 19 seasons. The Lady Terriers have won five state titles in Johnson’ s tenure and 12 overall. "They definitely have their eyes set on getting back to the state tournament," she said. "But we realize that we have to get through district first, and once we get back to the state tournament, we will shoot for the stars. They are hungry, definitely hungry." Vandebilt was the only local team to reach the state tournament last season, but it was not alone in the state playoffs. South Terrebonne, H.L. Bourgeois, Assumption and Terrebonne qualified for the Class 5A playoffs, and E.D. White Catholic (Class 3A) and Houma Christian (Class B) made it in their respective classes. VANDEBILT CATHOLIC LADY TERRIERS Head coach: Margaret Johnson 2007 record: 27-6-1 (lost to St. Thomas More, 5-2, in Class 4A semifinals) Current record: 8-1 Top pitchers: Lauren Crane and Sadie LeMarie. Top offensive players: Lauren Martinez, Lauren Crane, Casey Clark, Mindy Robichaux, Alaina Guidry and Maddie Constant. What they’re saying: "I’m glad that Belle Chasse is in our district because it gives us great competition. Whenever you set your goals high and have that experience, it makes you more focused, especially when district comes around. To get to where you want to go, you have to get through district first so you take it one step at a time." -- Johnson on the competition in District 8-4A. ____________________________________ VANDEBILT CATHOLIC 11, ELLENDER MEMORIAL 0 March 4, 2008 Lady Terriers off to a good start in district action. Jason Corbin Sports Correspondent-The Courier HOUMA -- The Vandebilt Catholic Lady Terriers demonstrated Tuesday afternoon that they will once again be a team to reckoned with in the District 8-4A softball race. After scoring eight runs in the first inning, the Lady Terriers went on to dominate all phases of the game and cruised to an 11-0 win over Ellender Memorial in the district opener for both teams. The game was stopped after the fifth inning because of the 10-run mercy rule. Starting pitcher Lauren Crane was a force on the mound for the Lady Terriers (9-1 overall, 1- 0 district). She finished with a no-hitter and struck out eight in a complete-game win. Vandebilt’s offense complimented Crane’s effort on the mound with two doubles, two triples and a pair of home runs. The Lady Terriers finished with eight hits and had eight walks. But in the first inning, Ellender miscues opened the door for the Lady Terriers. Lauren Martinez and Alaina Guidry each reached on errors, and they later scored on Maddie Constant’s two-run single. Crane increased Vandebilt’s lead to 3-0 with a RBI triple, scoring Constant. Two more Ellender (5-7, 0-1) miscues allowed Vandebilt to increase its lead to 5-0. The Lady Terriers added three more runs in the first inning when Martinez hit a three-run homer for an 8-0 lead. "Their pitchers did pretty well, but we were able to capitalize on their errors early on and that got the ball rolling," Vandebilt coach Margaret Johnson said. "We stayed disciplined at the plate and didn’t chase. This is a good district and we wanted to open with a win." Vandebilt extended its lead 10-0 in the second inning on Mindy Robichaux’s two-run home run. The Lady Terriers added another run in the third on Martinez’s RBI triple. "They are a great team and they wanted to win," Ellender coach Beth Guidry said. "We just were not where we needed to be mentally." Pitcher Kristi Fitch started for Ellender before giving way to Kaylie LeBlanc. They combined for four strikeouts. _____________________________________ LADY TERRIERS GET PAIR OF SHUTOUTS March 2, 2008 At the Berwick Tournament, the Lady Terriers rebounded from Friday’s loss to Pineville with shutout wins over Erath (11-0) and Teurlings Catholic (4-0) on Saturday. In the first game, the Lady Terriers (8-1 overall) recorded 15 hits with Kacey Clark leading the way with a double and triple and two RBIs. Also recording multiple hits were Chelsie Allen, Lauren Crane and Brittany McDonald. Sadie LeMaire got the complete-game win, limiting Earth to three hits and striking out 15. Crane and LeMarie combined for the shut out in the second game. Crane pitched the first six innings and held Teurlings to six hits and nine strikeouts. LeMarie pitched the final inning. Crane also finished three hits, including two doubles, and an RBI. ____________________________________ PINEVILLE 2, VANDEBILT CATHOLIC 0 March 1, 2008 At the Berwick tournament, the Lady Terriers dropped their first game of the season in Friday’s action at the tournament. The loss dropped Vandebilt to 6-1. Despite giving up three hits and recording 11 strikeouts, Lauren Crane suffered the complete-game loss. Pineville’s two runs were unearned. Maddie Constant led the Lady Terriers’ offense with two hits. Vandebilt will play Erath and Teurlings Catholic in today’s tournament action. __________________________________________ VANDEBILT CATHOLIC 6, RIVERSIDE ACADEMY 0 At Houma, Lauren Crane picked up her fifth win of the season by limiting the Lady Rebels to one hit and striking out 12 in a complete-game win Thursday afternoon. The Lady Terriers (6-0) finished with seven hits. Lauren Martinez went 2-for-3 and scored two runs, and Alaina Guidry finished with two doubles, three RBIs and scored two runs. __________________________________________ VANDEBILT CATHOLIC 1, ST. CHARLES CATHOLIC 0 At LaPlace, Vandebilt courtesy runner Nikki Guidry scored on a bunt by Alaina Guidry in the sixth inning to help the Lady Terriers (5-0) to the nondistrict victory. Saidee LeMaire got the complete-game victory in the circle after going seven innings, giving up three hits, striking out five batters and walking one. __________________________________________ VANDEBILT CATHOLIC 1, ST. CHARLES CATHOLIC 0 February 26, 2008 Big win for the Lady Terriers on the road in Laplace. _______________________________________ VANDEBILT CATHOLIC 4, ST. THOMAS MORE 1 February 23, 2008 Big early season win at Vandebilt keeps the Lady Terriers undefeated. The Lady Terriers improved to 4-0, getting a complete-game win from Lauren Crane. Vandebilt outhit St. Thomas More, 8-3. Alaina Guidry and Chelsea Allen each went 2-for-3, and Lauren Martinez added a two-run double. ________________________________________ VANDEBILT CATHOLIC 3, ASCENSION CATHOLIC 0 February 19, 2008 HOUMA -- Mindy Robichaux gave the Vandebilt Catholic all the offense it needed Tuesday. She finished with a single and two home runs to lift the Lady Terriers to a 3-0 win over Ascension Catholic. Vandebilt Catholic’s Lauren Crane was also a force on the mound, finishing with 15 strikeouts. "I have no doubt they are as good as anyone in the state. I don’t see a weakness," Ascension Catholic coach Cliff Kliebert said. "But we played well. Two pitches were the difference in the game. They were both up in the zone and went out over in the same place." In the bottom of the second inning, Vandebilt’s Lauren Martinez managed the first hit of the game with a single to left. An Alaina Guidry bunt advanced her before Robichaux hit a two- run homer over the fence in right center. Ascension Catholic pitcher Laney Falcon recovered allowing only five base runners going into the bottom of the sixth. That was Robichaux hit another home run. The Lady Terriers (3-0 overall) amassed seven hits on the day including a double from Crane. Ascension Catholic (3-2) threatened in the sixth when Nancey Gulliot singled to right. Alley Bouchereau advanced her with a bunt down the third-base line. Vandebilt third baseman Mattie Constant charged and fielded the bunt cleanly for the force out. However, the base was left unoccupied allowing Gulliot to end up on third with one out. Crane answered with consecutive strikeouts. "Our defense didn’t play as well as I would have liked," Vandebilt coach Margaret Johnson said. "We need to communicate better on bunt coverage and throw downs to second. But we made some plays when we needed to and Lauren did well." _________________________________ VANDEBILT CATHOLIC 1, BRUSLY 0 February 14, 2008 BRUSLY -- Lauren Crane threw a no-hitter, struck out 13 batters and walked one batter as the Lady Terriers moved to 2-0 on the season with the nondistrict victory. The Lady Terriers scored the lone run of the game in the third inning when Saidee LeMaire (four stolen bases) stole home. Lauren Martinez and Mindy Robichaux (two stolen bases) each doubled for the only two Vandebilt hits of the game __________________________________ VANDEBILT CATHOLIC 4, ST. AMANT 3 February 13, 2008 At Houma, the Lady Terriers held off the Lady Gators late to move to 1-0 overall with the nondistrict victory. Vandebilt led 4-1 entering the top of the seventh inning before a two-run homer by St. Amant closed the gap. Vandebilt pitcher Lauren Crane (seven innings, 11 strikeouts, three hits, three walks, one hit by pitch) later struck out the final batter with a runner on base and got the complete- game victory. Vandebilt scored a run in the first inning, a run in the second inning and two runs in the fourth inning. St. Amant (0-1) scored a run in the fifth inning before the two-run seventh inning. Lauren Martinez led the Lady Terriers (seven hits) at the plate by going 3-for-3 with two doubles and three RBIs, and Mindy Robichaux added two singles with two runs scored. |
| 2008 Season Record 29 Wins - 5 Losses - 2 Tie District 8-4A Record 7 Wins - 1 Loss |
| Lady Terrier Pitcher Lauren Crane |
| Vandebilt Catholic’s Lauren Martinez (left) steals second base ahead of the tag of Lutcher’s Keri Zeringue during Wednesday’s nondistrict game in Houma. Vandebilt won, 7-0. Matt Stamey-The Courier |
| Vandebilt Catholic’s Mindy Robichaux (left) slides safely home under Belle Chasse catcher Ashlyn Buras for the second run of the game in the fourth inning of a District 8-4A game in Houma. Matt Stamey/The Courier |
| Vandebilt Catholic’s Lauren Crane pitched a no-hitter in Monday’s Class 4A bi-district playoff win over Karr. |
| Vandebilt Catholic’s Lauren Martinez slides safely into home as Bastrop catcher Victoria Gibson applys the tag during the fifth inning of Friday’s Class 4A regional playoff game. Vandebilt won 7-0 to advance to the Fast Pitch 56 Tournament in Sulphur. Also pictured for Vandebilt is Maddie Constant (background). |
