MICHAEL KIRAL / L’Observateur / August 17, 1998

RESERVE – The Cajun Stars, with the help of four River Parishes athletes, placed second in the USSSA Fast Pitch 19 and Under Softball World Champion-ships this past week at Chesterfield University near Richmond, Virginia.

Riverside’s Melissa Martin, who will attend Gulf Coast College this Fall, hit two home runs during the tournament. Courtney St. Amant played firstbase and earned the nickname “Scoops” for her defensive play. TanyaTeague and Erin Hymel, seniors at Riverside and Lutcher, respectively, saw action on the pitching mound.

The Cajun Stars began the tournament by going 2-0-1 in pool play. In thefirst game, the Stars defeated the Tennessee Thunder, 7-3, behind the pitching of Kaplan’s Lauren Trahan and Hymel.

Carencro’s Erin Cormier and Teague pitched the Stars to a 2-1 victory over the Virginia Flash before the Stars played Bowling Green to a 4-all tie.

The Stars opened the double-elimination portion of the tournament with a 3-2 victory over the Michigan Finesse behind the pitching of Trahan.

Teague started the second game and she and Trahan pitched the Stars to a 4-3 victory over the Illinois Stars. The Cajun Stars then defeated the OhioPride as Martin delivered a home run and a triple.

Teague and Trahan kept the Cajun Stars in the next game against the defending world champion Tennessee Stingrays. Trailing late in the game,Teurlings’ Mandi Lafleur doubled and Martin followed with a home run to give the Stars a 2-1 victory.

A 9-3 victory over The Girls from Texas put the Stars in the championship game. The North Carolina Challengers, who had one loss going in, thendefeated the Cajun Stars, 11-0 and 2-0, to win the championship.

“We played our hearts out but North Carolina was too tough,” coach Mona Lafleur said. “But we are so proud of second place. It was unbelievable. Itwas a dream come true. I will never forget this weekend.”The Stars were a hit off the field as well as on, receiving the Sportsmanship award. Boyd Adams, one of two Carville Bus Companydrivers to take the team to Richmond, would honk his horn after each victory. The players would then sing and dance to cajun music.”They had a ball,” Lefleur said. “They deserved every bit of that plaque.”Members of the Cajun Stars were Tioga’s Sissy Lemons, shortstop; Lafleur, pitcher; Lafayette’s Kristina Morman, third base; Lafayette’s Julia Bourgeois, left field; Kaplan’s Alena Guidry, second base; St. Martinville’sCrystal Poirier, center field; Teague, pitcher; Martin, right field; North Vermilion’s Brittany Hebert, catcher; Cormier, pitcher; Trahan, pitcher; St.

Amant, first base; and Hymel, pitcher. The team was coached by KenTrahan, Charles Lafleur and Mona Lafleur.

Martin, Trahan, Lemons and Lafleur were named to the all-tournament team.

Teague said she was excited to be picked to play on the team.

“I was overwhelmed,” Teague said. “It was an honor to be asked. I loved toplay with this team. They were fun and were good people.”

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