The quality of coaching and the talent of the young girls and boys on the Diamond Youth Baseball and Softball All-Star teams from Jackson Parish were on full display this past week. Despite fielding teams with the smallest population bases in every age category, the local youth made a remarkable showing in the District 4 competition with three of the four teams (6U, 10U, 12U) competing in softball and three of the six (9U, 10U, 11U) baseball teams qualifying for the upcoming state tournaments that will be played July 2-5 at various locations, including the 10U Northern Regional State Tournament hosted by the Jackson Parish Recreation Department Sports Complex.
Highlighting the great success of the local teams was the Jackson Parish 10U Softball All-Star team, which took first place in the District 4 tournament by winning all four of their games. Also to be commended is the Jackson Parish 9U Baseball All-Star team, which won three straight games of round-robin play after losing the tournament opener to finish as District 4 runner-up, and the Jackson Parish 12U Softball All-Star team, which won two and lost two in double-elimination play to come in 3rd place in the District tournament and earn qualification to state.
2026 State Tournament Qualifiers
Jackson Parish 12U Softball All-Stars
Manager: Kirsten Savage
Coaches: Ronny Savage and Dustin Siddon
Team Members: Ava Cutright, Emma Gray, Brelaina Hall, Delilah Hudson, Autumn Kohler, Charley Linton, Breezy Marker, Aubrie Maxwell, Ryleigh McCormick, Elliot Savage, Ella Siddon, and Lizzie Sullivan.|
District Tournament Summary: Finished with a 2-2 record in the District 4 Tournament. Beat Benton 10-6, lost to Sabine 14-7, beat Benton again 9-8, lost to Sabine again11-8 to finish in third place in the double-elimination competition.
State Tournament Information: Qualified for the Diamond Youth Softball state tournament to be played in Jefferson Parish, July 2-5. Jackson Parish begins with Pool Two play at 5:00 pm on Thursday, July 2nd, which consists of Jackson Parish, Jefferson Parish Recreation Department (JPRD) East, and West Monroe. Plays West Monroe at 10:00 am on Friday, July 3rd. All three teams will continue to play in the state tournament double-elimination bracket beginning on Friday, July 3rd, seeded by their pool-play finishes.
Jackson Parish 10U Softball All-Stars
Manager: Cheyenne Allen
Coaches: Kristen Allen and Bethany Greer
Team Members: Kylee-Ayn Allen, Malia Gunter, Lyla Hall, Kaylee Hammons, Caylee Mauthe, Ryleigh Puffer, Kadence Sampey, Natalie Sullivan, Mercedes Taylor, River Waggoner, Mez’Meri Walker, and Benleigh Whitman.
District Tournament Summary: Finished District 4 Tournament with an undefeated 4-0 record. Beat Sabine 5-1, Beat Minden 7-0, Beat West Monroe 1-0, Beat West Monroe again 4-3 to win the district title. State Tournament Information: One of ten teams to qualify for the double-elimination state tournament to be played in Buckeye, LA, on July 2-5. First game is against Tioga at 4:30 pm on field 3 on Thursday, July 2nd.
Jackson Parish 6U Softball All-Stars
Manager: Allison Johnson
Coaches: Odie Bradley, Jacob Johnson, and Zach Roberson
Team Members: Landry Atkins, Peyton Barnett, Skye Bradley, Avery Dodson, Lylah Johnston, Lucy Reed, Mellie Roberson, Josie Thrower, Emerysn Walker, StellaRae Whitman, Cienna Williams, and Amara Wilson
Team Summary: Finished with an 0-3 record in the District 4 Tournament. Lost 16-6 to Sabine, Lost 21-0 to West Monroe, Lost 15-0 to Minden.
State Tournament Information: All four teams from District 4 qualified for the ten-team state tournament play in Buckeye, LA, on July 2-5. Jackson Parish begins play against Tioga at 4:30 pm on Thursday, July 2nd in Pool C play. Continues to play in the state tournament double-elimination bracket, seeded by the pool-play finish.
Jackson Parish 11U Baseball All-Stars
Manager: Lance Seymore
Coaches: Railey Garrett, Dusty Burton
Team Members: Clay Burton, Charles Cooper, Oliver Garrett, Michael Gray, William Greer-Kelley, Sawyer Kelley, James Lewis, Cruz Nomey, Asher Norred, Andrew Seymore, Koplen Taylor, Grant Williams
District Tournament Summary: Did not participate in a District Tourney after receiving an automatic qualification bid to the State Tourney
State Tournament Information: One of eight teams to qualify for the double-elimination state tournament to be played July 2-5 in Bossier City, LA. Jackson Parish begins play at 6:30 pm on Field 9 against Sabine Parish.
Jackson Parish 10U Baseball All-Stars
Manager: Josh Jones
Coaches: Trevor Hall, Adam Pardue
Team Members: Taten Hall, Reece Johnson, Jeremiah Jones, Carson Knox, Cameron Pardue, Jess Potts, Isaac Sessions, Abram Thrower, Sutton Vail, Lyndon Walsworth, Austin West, Joedy Wiggins Jr.
District Tournament Summary: Did not participate in a District Tourney after receiving an automatic qualification bid to the State Tourney as host to the North Regional State Tournament.
State Tournament Information: One of eight teams to qualify for the double-elimination Northern Region State Tournament to be played at the Jackson Parish Recreation Department Sports Complex July 2-5. Jackson Parish begins Pool Play against Mamou at 7:00 pm Thursday, July 2nd on Field 4. The winner plays a second pool game at 11:00 am Friday, July 3rd on Field 4 while the loser plays a second pool game at 11:00 am Friday, July 3rd on Field 2. Tournament double-elimination bracket play begins on Friday evening, with seeding based on pool play results.
Jackson Parish 9U Baseball All-Stars
Manager: NIck Sampey
Coaches: Brent Carpenter, Darion Hudson
Team Members: Kaden Blewer, Cole Burton, Calop Carpenter, Davis Hudson, Rafe Lewter, Kase Mathews, Reed McMillan, Levi Norred, Brennon Otwell, Rowan Sampey, Anderson Smiley, Lucas Womack
District Tournament Summary: Finished District 4 Tournament with a 3-1 record to finish as Runner-Up in the round-robin-style tournament. Lost to Minden 22-2, Beat Ruston 14-0, Beat Union 13-9, Beat Shreveport 15-14.
State Tournament Information: One of 12 teams to qualify for the double-elimination state tournament to be played in Bossier City, LA on July 2-5. Begins play against Winnsboro at 2:30 pm on Thursday, July 2nd on Field 6.
