The Menard Lady Eagles pulled off one of the biggest surprises of the LHSAA softball championships in Sulphur this weekend, upsetting top-seeded Catholic-Pointe Coupee in an 11-inning semifinal Saturday and knocking off defending state champion Opelousas Catholic for the Select Division IV crown Sunday in Sulphur.

Menard, seeded fifth, prevailed 4-3 in the 11^th inning of the semifinal when Emma Davis, who had driven in two runs in regulation play, stole third and scored the decisive run on a throwing error. The Lady Eagles kept Catholic-PC off the scoreboard to seal the outcome and earn a spot in the program’s 14th state championship game and first since a 2021 runner-up finish.

Winning 4-1 Sunday, the Lady Eagles captured their fourth state title and first since 2015 as Davis, chosen as the Select Division IV tournament MVP, drove in three runs and pitcher Kaylee Methvin and the Menard defense kept OCS in check. Methvin pitched every inning in the semis and finals.

It completed a spectacular run led by first-year coach Brad Turney, whose team won 22 games.

The softball teams from Buckeye (Division II) and defending Class B champion Grace Christian suffered semifinal losses.

Buckeye’s baseball team was eliminated in the Division II quarterfinal round at home by Vandebilt Catholic.

Grace Christian rallied past another parish team, Glenmora, in a Class B regional round game Saturday and is the only parish baseball team still alive.

Weekend results involving Rapides Parish softball and baseball teams:

 

SOFTBALL

At North Frasch Softball Complex, Sulphur

 

Select Division II semfinal

Vandebilt Catholic 4, Buckeye 1

 

Select Division IV

Menard 4, Catholic-Pointe Coupee 3 (11 innings), semifinal

Menard 4, Opelousas Catholic 1, championship game

 

Class B semifinal

Quitman 4, Grace Christian 1

 

BASEBALL

 

Friday’s quarterfinal score

 

Select Division II (best of three)

Vandebilt Catholic 15, Buckeye 0 (VC wins series 2-0)

 

Class B

 

Regional round game

Grace Christian 3, Glenmora 1

 

Upcoming quarterfinal game

Grace Christian (9) at Pitkin, Friday, 6:00

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