By RYAN ARENA

Sports Editor

When the St. Charles Comets set foot in Sulphur this weekend for the State Softball Tournament, it will be for the fourth time in as many years.

In 2005, the Comets finished as state runner up to Parkview. In 2006, they were the state runner ups to John Curtis. And in 2007, they reached the state semifinals, losing to Menard by a single run, 1-0.

The top seeded Comets (27-6) will now attempt to take it a step further, beginning with their quarterfinal game with No. 8 seed Buckeye on Friday at noon.

Boasting that top seed and a very experienced roster, St. Charles enters Friday’s game with No. 8 Buckeye appearing to be the favorite – but SCC Coach Ty Monica sees things differently.

“Our seed is nothing but a number to me,” said Monica. “All it means is we play in the 12:00 game.

“Honestly, all eight teams that are going have a legitimate chance to win it. Every team has good pitching and a good defense. I’m expecting each game to be low scoring.”  

The Comets have hung their hats on their pitching and defense all season long. Starting pitchers Ashley Trosclair and Courtney Western have combined this season to shut out 17 opponents, while holding six others to one run.

“They each bring something different to the table,” said Monica. “It’s an advantage, if for no other reason, that teams don’t know who we’re going to throw until game time. We can see what matchup benefits us the most.”

Monica cited an example from another regional round game involving a team the Comets are familiar with – No. 5 seed Brusly fell 1-0 to Winfield last week, with the game’s only run being scored on a first inning error.

At the plate, St. Charles has a deep, talented lineup, but not an overpowering one. Comet hitters have shown that capability – anyone who witnessed St. Charles’ 18-4 win over Lutcher on March 6 wouldn’t care say the team has any problems hitting – but have competed in many more low scoring games decided by two or three runs, particularly against other top competition.

They’ll meet a team in Buckeye (23-6-1, 7-3) that has won eight straight games, including a 3-2 win over Crowley and a 5-0 win over Redemptorist in the first two rounds of the playoffs. Like St. Charles, Buckeye has shut down many opposing offenses this year, holding teams to one run or less in 19 games.

Buckeye was the runner up in District 3-3A this year. They are led by junior pitcher Tiffany Deville and senior first baseman Kara Simmons among others. Deville notched the win and Simmons knocked in a game-tying triple in the Panthers first round win over Crowley.