JOURNAL SPORTS
SULPHUR — There’s no lack of justifiable confidence among the four-time defending state champion Calvary softball team.
There’s no lack of experience despite a roster with only one senior.
There’s no measure of the desire to claim a fifth straight crown this weekend in Sulphur, to honor the memory of teammate Elena Franks, who succumbed after an auto accident on the first day of school in January.
The Lady Cavaliers are the top seed in Select Division III, taking a sparkling 35-1 record into today’s noon state semifinal contest against No. 4 Parkview Baptist (21-12) on Field 13 at the North Frasch Softball Complex.
And there is undeniably, pressure. But even that is motivation, says veteran coach Tiffany Wood.
“There is pressure, obviously, with going for the fifth state title in a row, having the great season we’ve had, being expected to win. But we have said since the very beginning in August, we’re going to embrace it, and we’ve handled it pretty well,” she said of a team riding an 18-game win streak following a 2-1 loss to Sterlington on March 14.
Calvary has plenty of talent and proven production, headlined by two-time All-State pitching ace Kynzee Anderson, a junior with a 22-1 record, 1.37 ERA, 228 strikeouts in 133 innings and an oh-by-the-way .477 batting average, 14 home runs and 45 RBI. Senior Addison Willis is 11-0 in the circle with a 1.53 ERA.
“This team is unique. It has power, it has speed, it has two pitchers, it’s young with freshmen, sophomores and eighth-graders – but four players have been starting since the eighth grade,” said Wood. “It’s a young but experienced team, and I think it’s a very determined team.”
The process that began with fall drills in August has included a schedule designed for Calvary to culminate the plan this weekend, she said.
“We’ve tried to make our schedule extremely tough … travel down south to not just play those teams but play at different complexes, see different umpires, just to get us ready for this weekend. The semifinals and finals are two tough games, and to say you’ve been in tough situations throughout the season and been able to overcome them, that’s a big part of our success.”
The Lady Cavaliers own a .419 team batting average and have clubbed 90 home runs. Setting the pace: freshman Baylor Bochhaus (.562, 12 HR, 87 RBI) and sophomore Loren Sivils (.457, 10 HR, 56 RBI).
Reese Walker, Carlie Guile and Buckhouse are the team’s emotional leaders. Anderson, Sivils and Mallory Carver are the quiet leaders, said Wood, “but they are strong and they lead by example by doing what’s right. It’s a really good combination.”
The secret this weekend?
“The key to us is just to be ourselves. If we swing at good pitches, Kynzee remains calm on the mound, we’re gonna have a great game. We have a lot of confidence in our lineup 1-9, a great pitching staff and a great defense.
“We were down 6-1 last year in the state championship game. The kids are battle tested, during the season and during our practices. We’re ready,” said Wood.
Second-seeded Notre Dame and district rival D’Arbonne Woods are in the other semifinal. Calvary topped the third-seeded Timberwolves 4-2 in their league matchup on April 1. Saturday’s championship game is a noon contest on Field 17.
Contact Doug at sbjdoug@gmail.com