The Jackson Parish 8U American All-Stars won all four games in the District 8 “Coach Pitch” Tournament to qualify for the Little League State Tournament that will be held July 11-15 at St. Julien Park in Broussard, LA.
Playing at the familiar fields of the Jackson Parish Recreation Department Sports Complex, JP8U won the four games played by a combined score of 66-10, including a 17-0 demolition of DeSoto Parish in the championship game.
The local girls opened the tournament by beating DeSoto 14-3, which was followed by a 17-4 smashing of Sterlington. That set up a winners bracket final contest against Bossier where JP8U posted their most runs of the tourney in an 18-3 victory setting up the rematch with DeSoto Parish in the finals.
Game One – Jackson Parish 14 DeSoto Parish 3: Gracelynn Greer stroked the final of JP8U’s seven hits in the bottom of the fourth inning to “walk-off” DeSoto Parish with the “mercy rule” victory. The inning started with Londyn Tilley, Brenliegh Whitman, and Mary-Katherine Malone all hitting singles, followed by a pair of doubles off the bats of Matilyn Otwell and Caylee Mauthe. Raegan Hall and Kaylee Hammons followed with a fielder’s choice and a single, setting up the decisive final at bat.
Under the guidance of head coach Matt Otwell and assistants Jamie Otwell, Megen Taylor, and Jacob Otwell, JP8U opened the contest by breaking out the “big sticks,” which led to five runs scored. Malone got the offensive onslaught started with a home run, followed by Otwell and Mauthe singling, and both Hall and Hammones doubling. Four more runs were scored in the third when Otwell and Hall singled, Hammons, and Mauthe hit a home run.
Game Two – Jackson Parish 17 Sterlington 4: The locals pounced on Sterlington for 7 runs in the first inning and never looked back.. Eleven of the thirteen Jackson Parish batters scored in the contest, led by three runs each from Matilyn Otwell and Caylee Mauthe. Crossing home plate twice was Brenleigh Whitman, Mary-Katherine Malone, and Raegan Hall, while Kaylee Hammons, Mercedes Taylor, Natalie Futrell and Rey Wiggins all chipped in with a run apiece.
Game Three – Jackson Parish 18 Bossier 3: Mary-Katherine Malone hit her second home run in three games, Matilyn Otwell and Caylee Mauthe hit back to back doubles and Brenleigh Whitman, Raegan Hall, Kaylee Hammons, Mercedes Taylor, Natalie Futrell, Parker Kate Long, Rey Wiggins and Ava Kohler all got a hit as JP8U plated 10 runs in the first inning. A three-run home run by Mauthe that scored Malone and Otwell gave Jackson Parish a 13-3 lead in the second inning, setting up a five-run third and final inning that saw Taylor, Futrell, Wiggins, Londyn Tilley, and Whitman all score.
Championship Game – Jackson Parish 17 DeSoto Parish 0: Six runs in the first inning and seven more in the second put the game away early as JP8U won their fourth consecutive game by the “mercy rule” to claim the District 8 title in impressive fashion. Once again it was a total team effort that led to the blowout with Caylee Mauthee and Kaylee Hammons leading the way by scoring three runs apiece. Brenleigh Whitman, Mary Katherine Malone, and Raegan Hall all added two each while Gracelynn Greer, Parker Kate Long, Ava Kohler and Londyn Tilley all chipped in with a run.