It is a a testament to the strength of the Quitman High School softball team. With three wins in past two days, the defending LHSAA Division V state runner-up squad has run their record to 4-0 in the early part of the 2024 season and this without their All-State pitcher even playing an inning yet. 

Quitman is one of the deepest teams in the state, regardless of classification. Head coach Justin Dodson’s team has tremendously talented players at every position. What makes their early performance all the more impressive is that many of the key contributors for the Lady Wolverines are young, very young. The line up in their last game played showed that one senior, two juniors, a sophomore, a freshman and FOUR 8th graders started. 

The Lady Wolverines stayed perfect on the year by winning three games in the Logansport Tournament. The first win was a 12-4 decision against Class 4A Minden, who is coached by former Weston High School standout Shelby Leach on Friday. Next came a pair of victories on Saturday, a 7-2 victory over Stanley followed by a 13-3 thrashing of Montgomery in the nightcap. 

Madi was Magnificent!  Northwestern State University may have gotten the steal of the 2024 signing class when Madison Chaplin inked to be a Lady Demon this past summer. Already considered one of the best seniors in north Louisiana, “Madi” displayed her blossoming talent in impressive fashion against the Class 4A Minden in the opening game of the tourney by hitting a lead off home run.  She followed that up with a 3rd inning triple and another “tater” in the fourth frame leading to a 3/4 day with three extra base hits, four runs scored and five RBI. Add reaching on a walk and an error along with stealing a base. Against Montgomery, Chaplin smashed a pair of doubles, scored two and drove in two more. 

Hammering Huckaby!  It is a rare achievement for a player to hit a grand slam home run. That is unless you are Karla Huckaby. For her it seems there is nothing to it. Huckaby not only blasted a “grand salami” in the victory over Minden but followed that up with another bases clearing jack against Stanley. Last year the junior knocked in 14 runs in 35 games. In the three games played in the Logansport Tourney she knocked in 11 and has at least one RBI in all four games played. 

Eight’s are great! Softball is supposed to be a game that takes a long time to master. Most very good performers have a ton of innings under their belt. Someone forgot to tell that to the 8th graders on the QHS team. In the three games played in the tourney the four 8th graders on the roster (Hallie Kate Pullig, Kinsley Ponder, Briley Bowers and Brenna Lamkin) reached base a total of 20 times, accumulating a total of 14 hits and six walks for a 350 batting average. Included was 8 RBI and 15 runs scored. In the field the “fabulous four” converted 26 chances without making an error with 25 putouts and one assist. It doesn’t end there either. In the circle, Lamkin threw 11.2 innings to the tune of a 2.40 ERA, including a complete game victory against Stanley. Again, these are 8th graders! WOW! 

Game Recaps