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Delta Charter’s Darby Beach runs to third base during the action. (Nicole Hester | The Natchez Democrat)

(Nicole Hester | The Natchez Democrat)

(Nicole Hester | The Natchez Democrat)

(Nicole Hester | The Natchez Democrat)

Delta Charter School softball players celebrate after winning their second-round playoff game against Northwood-Lena Thursday at Delta Charter, 18-2. (Nicole Hester | The Natchez Democrat)

(Nicole Hester | The Natchez Democrat)

History was made Thursday night as the Delta Charter School softball team punched its ticket to the state quarterfinals in Sulphur, La. for the first time in school history, with a 18-2 win over Northwood-Lena High School in four innings.

After the game, the Storm celebrated on the field by taking pictures with one another and jumping in glee. However, for players who helped build what the program is today — which is in its fifth year — they were overcome with so many emotions they didn’t know how to feel.

“The school has been open for five years now,” said senior Haley Sharp. “And this is the first time (that this program is going to state). It’s awesome. I don’t think it has hit me yet, but it’s awesome.

“I have chills going down my body.”

While the players didn’t exactly know how to react about claiming a quarterfinal berth, coach Jeannie Beach did.

“Very excited,” Beach said. “I don’t think it has set in with some of them yet. I have heard them talking, but I had to remind them that it’s the first time in school history. So I’m excited. I’m pumped.”

Not only was the Delta Charter all smiles after the game, but the team is confident in its abilities thanks to the schedule the Storm played this season.

This year, Delta Charter played a lot of LHSAA Class 4A and 5A schools — the Storm is Class 1A. Due to playing tougher competition throughout the season, the Storm feels like they are well prepared to take on the best competition their class has to offer next weekend.

“We played way better teams then we are right now,” Sharp said. “We play those teams to see what we can grow to be. I’m glad we just didn’t come out this year and play teams that we would whoop all the time. If we did that, our confidence would be high but our mental game wouldn’t be what it is right now. I’m glad that we played those teams because it has helped prepare us for the state tournament due to us playing harder teams than we are going to face.”

Sharp does know that the Storm will play some tough competition next weekend. However, she said as long as Delta Charter has its mental game and if they play for one another, the Storm could go far.

“We can win (state) by far,” Sharp said. “We are going to win it.”

Next week before heading  west, Beach knows her team needs to clean up some areas of their game if it wants to lift a state championship trophy on Saturday. She said her pitchers need to move the ball a little better, the outfielders still need to work on hitting their cuts and paying attention to the coaches better when it comes to base running.

While those will be the areas the Storm will be practicing, Beach is just so happy for her team to have this opportunity.

“Overall I’m satisfied,” Beach said. “They ran the base aggressive (Thursday). I’m tickled to death for them. I’m proud they get this opportunity.”

Delta Charter will play again either next Thursday or Friday against the winner of Haynesville and South Cameron.

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