Third time charm: Vidalia 14U team wins state title three years in a row

Published 12:13 am Tuesday, July 10, 2018

LAKE CHARLES, La. — The Vidalia Little League 14U all-stars took care of the Lake Charles all-stars in six innings Sunday morning to win the 2018 Louisiana Junior League Softball State Tournament championship, 15-0.

Becca Cowan was the winning pitcher, going all six innings and pitching a no-hitter for the second straight game to go with 14 strikeouts and no walks.

“She’s been able to hit her spots. It’s like she’s real confident in herself. She’s been pitching good games,” Vidalia coach Donald Bertelsen said. “But, it’s a full team effort. Without the girls behind her, I don’t know how you can win a ball game.”

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The only blemish for Vidalia in the title game was the three errors they committed.

Gracie Harrigal went 2-for-2 with a triple, Lexi Maynard was 2-for-3 with a double and Tierra Jefferson and Kate Parsons each went 2-for-4. Cowan was 1-for-1 and was walked three times. Heidi Zimmerman had a double.

“We started off hitting the sticks hard. We never relinquished the lead,” Bertelsen said.

Bertelsen said his team was overjoyed after the final out was made to claim the title.

“It was like a breath of fresh air. We’ve been focusing on getting this part done and not looking ahead,” he said. “There were a lot of smiles and tears.”

Lake Charles advanced to the finals by defeating the Moss Bluff all-stars Saturday night in an elimination game, 17-2.

Next up for the Vidalia Little League 14U all-atars is the Junior League Softball Southwest Regional Tournament in Isleta, New Mexico, which is about 20 miles south of Albuquerque. The tournament runs from July 21-26.