The season ended for the French Camp slow pitch softball team with 12-0 and 18-0 losses to Lake in the opening round of the Mississippi High School Activities Association Class I playoffs.
Despite the setbacks, coach Todd Chesser was upbeat about the team and its future. “We played a whole lot better,” he said. “We grew as a team. We have a bright future with a core group of sophomores.”
That is, if there is a future for slow pitch softball in Mississippi. Due to a decreasing number of schools fielding teams, MHSAA will make a decision after the season on whether the sport will continue.
French Camp had seven hits against Lake, including three each by Brianna Grice and Abby Leathers. Grice, Molly Sims and Haleigh Outlaw were the team's top hitters for the season.
Chesser said most of the slow pitch players will play fast-pitch in the spring and will be joined by eight to 10 others. Chesser coaches both teams.
Landry LeBlanc had two homers in each game for Lake and drove in nine runs. Lake continued its strong play with victories over Stringer and Ethel to reach the South State final.
