By RYAN ARENA

L’Observateur

VILLE PLATTE – Riverside’s Destin Vicknair came up just short of a perfect game on Saturday, but her no-hitter was enough to push her Rebels back to Sulphur after a 1-0 victory at No. 7 seed Sacred Heart-Ville Platte in a regional round Class 2A playoff game.

After a year absence, No. 10 Riverside will return to Frasch Park in Sulphur Friday to face No. 2 Evangel at 2 p.m. in the quarterfinals of the state softball tournament.

The only blemish on Vicknair’s statline was a single walk. The freshman struck out five in the complete game effort.

“She threw a tremendous game against a pretty strong lineup,” said Hebert. “She kept her composure, and our defense played really well behind her. It was one of the best game’s she’s thrown all year long.”

The Rebels needed every out as Sacred Heart’s Logan Hebert also pitched an exceptional game.

“Given the schedule we play, nothing was going to surprise us,” said Hebert. “Pitching wise, we weren’t going to see anything we haven’t seen before. And that came into play (when we broke through).”

The game was deadlocked in a scoreless tie until the sixth inning, which the Rebels’ Erica Delaneuville led off with a single. Taylor Terrio dragbunted and beat out the throw for a base hit, and Shea LaFountain sacrifice bunted each over.

That brought up Katie Bailey, who grounded out but in the process sacrificed the winning run home.

“Nobody tightened up,” said Hebert.

“It goes back to being in these situations before. We were making good contact. We just needed to scratch out a run.”