Sunday didn’t start ideally for Sterlington, but couldn’t have been scripted much better late.
The No. 5 Lady Panthers found an answer to No. 2 Kaplan’s big first inning with six straight shutout frames by freshman pitcher Ansley Johnson to keep within striking distance and set up a three-run, game-winning homer by freshman designated player Neely Kilpatrick in the top of the sixth.
Sterlington’s rally in the Division-III Non-Select championship game secured the 5-4 comeback win and first title since 2024.
A string of singles helped put the Lady Panthers on the board with two runs in the top of the first, but the Lady Pirates capitalize on four hits, a couple hit batters and an error to double that output in the bottom half of the inning.
Kaplan’s 4-2 advantage would stand deep into the contest as junior pitcher Lexi Green battled Johnson one scoreless frame after another.
Sterlington third baseman Jaleeyah Alford catches a pop fly and checks the runner at first base in the sixth inning of fthe Lady Panthers’ 1-0 victory over Jena in the Division III Non-Select semifinals on Saturday. (Photo: Bret H. McCormick, One T Photography)
But Sterlington finally broke back through in the top of the sixth, as a pair of errors allowed junior first baseman Brylee Hamby and junior second baseman Tori Kelley to reach base safely and set the table for Kilpatrick’s highlight-reel moment.
Johnson struck out six and allowed eight hits and two walks, but no runs after the first inning.
Kilpatrick’s home run headlined the effort at the plate, which also included singles from senior center fielder Sullivan Cannon, sophomore catcher Alexa Blackwell, senior third baseman Jaleeyah Alford, Hamby and freshman left fielder Brea Cerda.