By RYAN ARENA

L’Observateur

SULPHUR — Hahnville coach Kenneth Vial stood silently, hands clasped upon his face, before summoning the words to convey his feelings Saturday night.

“This game was ours,” said Vial. “But it came down to one play, and they made it.”

Sam Houston’s celebration at midfield was only its most recent display of unbridled joy, moments after the Broncos had put the finishing touches on a 2-1 victory over defending Class 5A champion Hahnville in a nine inning, absolute classic of a game.

The Broncos’ Alli Fields doubled home what turned out to be the winning run in the top of the ninth inning, doubling home Brooke Rozas.

But Vial was right — but not for a perfect play, it would have been his team celebrating for the second consecutive season.

Alexandra Friloux doubled down the left field line to lead off the bottom of the eighth inning for the Tigers (31-3), and after a bunt by Hannah Haydel pushed her to third, Friloux stood in scoring position with Courtney Dutreix up to bat, the MVP of last year’s championship victory.

“It was the right person at the plate, the right situation, and the right ball for us,” said Vial.

Dutreix hit a fly ball to left-center that seemed deep enough to score Friloux and secure a Tigers repeat. But Rozas uncorked a throw from centerfield to home plate, and a sliding Dutreix was tagged out by catcher Tori Lantz to end the inning.

“She was out. But she was out by maybe the length of my hand,” said Vial. “Give them credit for making that play.”

Hahnville had a chance to tie or win in the ninth after consecutive singles by Summer Melancon and Hope Mair to lead off the inning. But Baylee Corbello retired the final three batters in order, stranding Tiger runners on second and third to end the game.

It was the third straight season that Hahnville has played in the 5A state championship game. The Tigers lost in 2010 by a run to St. Thomas More, but downed Denham Springs for the school’s first crown in 2011.  

Saturday’s game centered around a pitcher’s duel between Haydel and Sam Houston’s Baylee Corbello, who was named the championship MVP. Corbello struck out 14 batters and allowed six hits while walking two. She also delivered one of the game’s biggest hits, a solo home run in the first inning that put Sam Houston (21-4) ahead 1-0.

“We played them before and we knew that (Corbello) was unbelievable,” said Vial. “I just hoped we’d catch up to one.”

Haydel was impressive in her own right, striking out 11 and allowing seven hits while walking four.

“Hannah Haydel stepped up. She’s played hurt all year. But that kid gutted it out. That was the best game she’s pitched all year.”

Hahnville tied the game in the third inning on a Dutreix double, scoring Taylor Hogan, who bunted for a hit.

Vial said his players could walk out of Sulphur with great pride, loss or no. He was especially proud of a senior class that went 123-18 over four seasons.

“Of those 18 losses, I’m telling you, 12 had to be by a run,” said Vial. “They’re an incredible group of kids. I honestly just tried not to mess ‘em up.”

HAHNVILLE 10, ST. AMANT 3 — Hahnville led 8-0 after four innings in its semifinal victory Saturday over St. Amant, a surge highlighted by a Dutreix three-run home run in the fourth.

“We thought it would be a really big battle, and that the team with the most heart would win,” said Dutreix. “We had a lot of determination … (On the home run), I wanted to just hit it to the outfield to score a run. But I’ll take the home run any day.”

St. Amant, the second seed in 5A, made an uncharacteristic eight errors and Hahnville took advantage, scoring at least two runs in the first, second and fourth innings.

Haydel earned the win, allowing seven hits and walking one. She struck out four.

Mair had two RBIs and Melancon, Lauren Simar and Hogan each collected one.

Hahnville defeated the three teams this postseason (St. Amant, East Ascension and Dutchtown) it was separated from after redistricting, as the four were competitors within District 6-5A last year.

HAHNVILLE 6, EAST ASCENSION 3 — The Tigers scored six first inning runs en route to a win over East Ascension in the quarterfinals Friday.

Barre, Haydel, Hogan and Friloux each knocked in runs for HHS.

Haydel struck out eight in the win. She allowed seven hits and walked four.