SULPHUR โ Brusly High School softball coach Beau Bouvier has experienced four state title games. His assistant coaches have been there.ย
He wasn't satisfied, though, and he told his team Friday what his hopes were heading into their Division II nonselect semifinal against Lutcher on Saturday.
"I want them to be there," Bouvier said of the players experiencing a state final. "I'll do anything to put them in the right spot to get there."
Behind a dominant pitching display, Brusly's players will get their chance after defeating Lutcher 3-0 in the semifinals on Saturday at Frasch Park.
The third-seeded Panthers (24-6) will face No. 1 North DeSoto for the state title at noon Sunday.
ตฐ๙ณฒ๕ฑ๔ฒโ'ฒ๕ฬAbigail Heidbrink pitched a shutout, scattering five hits and two walks while striking out five.
The Panthers got off to a strong start as Zoe Fabre singled to lead off the game. After a strikeout and a flyout, Emma Loupe line-drive double scored Fabre.
"My job was to score her no matter what," Loupe said. "I'm doing it for my team, and I'm putting the ball in play."
Avery St. Pierre doubled to right field to open the bottom half of the first for Lutcher. Heidbrink then retired the next three batters โ two on strikeouts โ to keep the Bulldogs scoreless.
Bouvier said the early run took a little pressure off Heidbrink and the defense.
"We were in difficult situations where they put pressure," he said. "We just took it step by step, batter by batter, and we got the outs."
Brusly added two runs in the top of the fourth. Tinley Loupe hit a one-out single before Marnet Jackson ripped a double down the third-base line to score Loupe.
Emma Guarisco followedi with a line-drive single to right field to score Jackson for a 3-0 lead.
That was enough for Heidbrink, who retired the next 10 batters after St. Pierre's double in the first.
Lutcher drew a walk in the fourth to break the dry spell. After a pop out, Heidbrink allowed a single to put two runners on, but struck out the next batter to end the inning.
"Trusting my defense worked for me, and settling in," she said. "Knowing that wasn't the game right there."
Lutcher (21-7) threatened in the sixth after St. Pierre and Addison Brignac led off the inning with singles. Heidbrink forced a pop-up and two grounders to end the threat.
The Bulldogs drew a walk to start the seventh. Heidbrink responded with a strikeout, but then allowed a bloop single after a miscommunication led to a fly ball to hit the turf.
She wasn't affected and forced a pop fly and groundout to end the game.ย
"Just trusting in the Lord honestly," Heidbrink said of her mindset in the seventh. "Taking a breath and just keep pitching. I know how to pitch. I pitched the last six innings, so just come through in the seventh."
After falling short in the semifinals last year, Brusly returns to the state title for the first time since 2019.
"We told the seniors, 'This our time,' " Bouvier said. "I'm tired of just going and playing, and we lose in the semis. Let's play. Let's go into the final. Proud of them."