Comet Softball Team - 3A State Champions

The 2008 Comet softball team captured the 3A state championship with an exciting last inning 2-1 victory over the Parkview Eagles Saturday April 26 in Sulphur . The championship game was a fitting end to a great season that had the Comets winning the 9-3A district championship with a perfect 8-0 record  and the first ever 30 win season for Comet softball.

If the emotions and excitement of the Fast Pitch 56 state tournament weren’t enough, the Comets added all the drama they could by winning three close games in quarterfinals, semifinals, and state finals by the scores of  3-1, 3-2, and 2-1 en route to the school’s first softball state title since 1998.

In the final game with Parkview the Comets battled back late after falling behind 1-0 in the fourth inning. In the Comets’ sixth, Katie Tregre and Katie Reine both singled with Lauren Coniglio walking in between hits. Ashley Trosclair hit a sacrifice fly ball to right field that scored Tregre and tie the game at 1.

Comet pitcher Courtney Western, who struck out 10 and allowed only 2 hits in the game, put the Eagles down one-two-three in the top of the seventh on two ground balls and one strike out. That set the stage for the thrilling bottom of the seventh. With one out Jessie Braud doubled to the right field wall. Braud then stole 3^rd base after the catcher bobbled the ball. After fouling off 4 pitches Western hit a slow roller to shortstop. Braud raced home and slid under the the Parkview catcher setting up one of the most tense moments in Comet softball history. After a slight delay the umpire ruled Braud safe setting off a wild and euphoric Comet celebration at home plate.

Comets 3, Winnfield 2.

The Comets defeated Winnfield 3-2 in the semifinal game just hours before the state championship. The Comets seemed to be cruising with a 3-0 lead after three innings. But Winnfield scored twice in the fourth and threatened in fifth and seventh leaving two stranded runners on base each time. Ashley Trosclair was the winning pitcher with Courtney Western pitching in relief.

Comets 3, Buckeye 1.

The Comets opened up the tournament with a 3-1 win over Buckeye in the quarterfinals. After going the first three innings without a base runner, Courtney Western singled to lead off the top of the fourth. Two batters later Lauren Coniglio hit a blast over the center field wall giving the Comets a 2-0 lead. The Comets added another run in the top of the seventh. Buckeye scored once in the bottom of the seventh to make the final 3-1.