Senior star Kynzee Anderson and Calvary Baptist finished another softball season Sunday the same way they have many before: absolutely cooking their way to a state championship.
The reigning Louisiana Gatorade Player of the Year and LSWA Louisiana Miss Softball struck out nine batters and allowed No. 2 Parkview Baptist a lone run on three hits as the No.1 Lady Cavaliers cruised to a 5-1 victory in the Division-III Select matchup.
A sixth straight title ties the record for most by any Louisiana program, matching Hackberry (2011-2016), Linville (1997-2002) and Vandebilt Catholic (1980-1985).
Neither team’s typically explosive offense could break through until Calvary Baptist managed a flurry of extra-base hits in the bottom of the fourth.
Sophomore shortstop Baylor Bockhaus hit a leadoff home run to finally end the dueling pitchers’ shutout, and a pair of doubles by junior third baseman Loren Sivils and sophomore designated player Jacee Sledge quickly doubled the lead to 2-0.
Calvary Baptist first baseman Amilea Bain stretches to catch a ball during the Lady Cavs’ 12-2 win over D’Arbonne Woods in the Division III Select semifinals on Saturday. (Photo: Bret H. McCormick, One T Photography)
Parkview Baptist eighth-grade third baseman Aimee Gawlik got one run back with a solo shot in the top of the sixth.
But the Cavaliers answered with three more of their own in the bottom of the frame to stretch out some breathing room, and Anderson retired the final Lady Eagles in order in the top of the seventh.
A leadoff walk earned by junior catcher Mallory Carver set the table for Calvary Baptist’s series of insurance runs with a sixth-inning rally that included a Sledge double, an error that allowed senior right fielder Abigail Sims to reach safely and a single by junior second baseman Carlie Guile.
The Cavaliers’ offense had averaged nearly 12 runs per contest in the playoffs, but Parkview Baptist freshman Emmarie Lacy and Gawlik combined to keep their high-powered opponents within reasonable striking distance.
But multi-hit days by Bockhaus, Sledge and Guile headlined a nine-hit, five-run afternoon that proved more than enough support for Anderson’s career-capping gem.
