Before the Class B state championship game was played at the North Frasch Softball Sports Complex on Sunday, May 5th, Quitman High fans could be heard repeatedly saying “Lets Do It Again”!
THEY DID! And in convincing fashion!
Not only did top-seeded, Quitman secure their second straight state softball championship when Karley Huckaby hit a “walk-off” single to put the finishing touches on the convincing 10-0 smashing of #2 Stanley, the Lady Wolverines made the unquestionable statement that they are to be remembered as the best “small school” program in the LHSAA over the past three years.
“I am so proud of the girls for the way they played today,” said QHS head coach Justin Dodson. “It is especially sweet the way the game played out as I have only two seniors and both played a big role in the victory.”
What Dodson was referring to was the total dominating effort in the circle by LSU signee Cali Deal, who allowed only two hits and struck out 12 while also smashing a three run homerun in the bottom of the first inning and the single by Karley Huckaby in the bottom of the sixth inning that gave Quitman the “walk off” victory.
DYNASTY! According to Wikipedia, the definition of a sports dynasty is a team or individual that dominates their sport or league for an extended length of time. As an example, it could added – See Quitman High School Softball from 2023-25.
Over the last three years, Quitman has won two state championships and came oh so close to claiming three titles in a row, coming up just short in 2023 when they fell 2-1 in nine innings to Converse. That was the only time during that span QHS has lost to a Division V / Class B school, with the Lady Wolverines winning 33 of their last 34 and 23 in a row.
Adding the back-to-back 30-win seasons in 2022-23 and 2023-24, and the 21-10 record this year, the conglomerate record over the past three seasons is a sterling 81-20, for a better than 800% winning percentage. Half of those losses, including five this season, came when phenom pitcher, Cali Deal, wasn’t in the circle, and all ten of the other losses came against schools ranked in the top five of their respective divisions, including four state champions and four state runner-ups.
“I always try to reinforce to the girls that there is always only two results in a game,” said Dodson when asked about his team coming up short 10 times this year. “You either win or you learn something that will help you down the road. You never lose.”
THE REAL DEAL! While Quitman’s team’s fortunes are impressive to say the least, the championship game performance by LSU signee Cali Deal is simply mind-boggling. The lanky lefty struck out 10 while allowing only two meaningless singles over six innings. Twice, in the second and fifth innings, she struck out the side, and at one point retired 15 Stanley batters in a row. On offense Deal reached base in three of four at bats, including a three run homerun in the first inning while also scoring twice.
In the 2025 state tournament, Deal threw two complete games while striking out 22 in 13 innings and not allowing a single run. Incredibly, this was done while suffering from thoracic outlet syndrome, a condition where nerves or blood vessels in the area between the neck and shoulder are compressed, which she is scheduled to have surgery on in a couple of weeks. Add the fact that she also had no feeling in her arm, and it unquestionably verifies just how very special a talent Deal is. Over her six-year pitching career, Deal compiled a career record of 83 wins and 21 losses while striking out 1061 batters in 568.2 innings and having a 1.748 ERA.
When asked what it was like pitching with no feeling in her throwing arm, Deal stated, “I relied on muscle memory for the most part while concentrating on throwing strikes and trusting my teammates to make the plays, which they did.”
Mission Accomplished!
BATTING BONANZA! Never before has a player from Jackson Parish compiled such gaudy offensive power statistics as Louisiana Tech signee Maggie Guyotte, who in the state title game continued to provide the punch with two doubles, 4 RBI, and scoring two runs. Only a junior, the sensational slugger already owns the Jackson Parish record for most home runs in a career with 58 and in a single season, when in her freshman season, she knocked 21 out of the park. She has also recorded 54 doubles in her career and is now the only player in Jackson Parish history to be in the “200 – 200” club, having accrued 213 RBI and 201 runs scored in her career.
The best part is she still has a year to play!
YOUNG GUNS! Even when Deal and Guyotte move on to continue their softball career on the collegiate level, Quitman will still be loaded with a number of players. This season, six freshmen and two sophomores played important roles during the entire season. If they continue to provide the kind of production they have accounted for in their first or second season of varsity competition have the opportunity to make their own historic statement.
Hallie Kate Pullig – The fantastic freshman has proven in the two years of playing varsity softball that the bigger the game, the better she plays. In the title game this year, Pullig smashed a triple, knocked in two, and scored a run. This is after being only in the 8th grade, Pullig ripped Stanley pitching in the 2024 title game to the tune of two doubles and five RBI on her way to being named the game’s Most Outstanding Player.
Zoee Williams – Bursting onto the scene in 2025 after playing sparingly last year, the Sophomore made her presence felt by compiling a .394 batting average, scoring 18 times, and knocking in 33 runs to become a valuable offensive threat.
Kinsley Ponder – Stepped out of the gate in her first season as a varsity player by getting hits in her first four games and compiling a six-game streak down the stretch. Showing tremendous plate awareness, Ponder struck out only 5 times all season while ending the year with a .370 batting average.
Anna Leach – On a team loaded with power, Leach provided the speed when in need, leading the team with 10 steals. Another who has the knack of stepping up in pressure situations, in the two state tournament games, the Sophomore got three hits in five official at-bats and scored twice in the finals.
Brenna Lamkin – Got two hits in both the semifinal and final contests, her third straight two-hit performance in the playoffs. Had 21 RBI and scored 18 runs over the season, but was most valuable in the circle where the freshman started 8 games for QHS and compiled a 4-4 record and struck out 45 in 50 innings.
Briley Bowers – Singled in both state tourney games and got at least one hit in every playoff game, including a 3/3 performance with a double and an RBI in the regionals to extend her season-ending five-game hitting streak.
Breelyn Boone – The freshman speedster scored 21 runs, including two in the semifinal contest, while being primarily used as a pinch runner and also swiped four bases over the season. Showed a keen eye when in her only plate appearance this season drew a walk.
Avery Watson – Didn’t make a playoff appearance but closed out the regular season by getting hits in three straight games, including a double. Scored six runs and had an RBI in part-time action.
Addison Fenn – One of only three juniors on the team, Fenn appeared in two games this season and had only two at-bats. Showed her readiness by knocking in a run when she got her opportunity.
Rylee Kelley – Another junior, Kelley played in only one game this year but showed great enthusiasm and was the ultimate team player.
