In what could be described as two of the most exciting games of the LHSSA Softball State Playoffs, the Converse Lady Cats claimed their first state title in 29 years in highly dramatic fashion. At the helm of both victorious finishes was pitcher Avery Prine.
In the state semifinal game, the Lady Cats took on the Choudrant Lady Aggies. Not only was Prine a gem in the circle but she also took care of business at the plate. Prine allowed one run on five hits and struck out 13 batters. Alongside teammate Summer Brumley, Prine was 2 for 4 at the plate and sealed the deal in the bottom of the 7” with a massive 2-run homer to lead her team to victory with a final score of 3-1. Also recording hits in the semifinal game were Kraegan Jordan and Kristin Claire Murray.
The final game for the Division V, Non-select state title was even more of a heartstopper. The 4-seed Lady Cats took on the 2-seed Quitman Lady Wolverines in a 9-inning thriller. In a true pitcher’s duel, Quitman’s Cali Deal went head-to-head with Converse’s Prine. Quitman started out with a bang scoring one run in the bottom of the first inning behind a double put into play by Deal and a single by Madison Brymer. Amazingly, Prine would hold them to that single run for the remainder of the game.
It wasn’t until the fourth inning when Converse was able to answer. Summer Brumley started the rally with a double to left field followed by a hard ground ball single up the middle put into play by Avery Prine. After back-to-back hits, with runners at the corners, Converse set the stage for a sac bunt by Maci Morgan to tie the game 1-1. In doing so, Converse accomplished something that no Quitman opponent had been able to do in their last five games - score runs. In fact, in their previous five games leading up to the state championship game, Quitman had outscored their opponents 42-0.
Another five innings would ensue before a victor was named. In the top of the 9th, Prine once again stepped up for her team with a single to shallow left. The stage was set for two perfectly placed sac bunts by Maci Morgan and Kraegan Jordan, respectively. With all the determination to return home a state champion, Abby Friday singled to right field on a 1-2 count to record the second RBI of the game and all but sealed the deal. Next up, Prine once again worked her magic in the bottom of the 9th to induce a groundout, a strikeout swinging, and a final strikeout looking to secure the game of a lifetime for her team. Over the 9-inning battle, Deal held the Lady Cats to two runs on four hits while striking out nine. Prine could not have been any better on the mound holding the Lady Wolverines to a one-run game off three hits while striking out an astonishing 17 batters. Deservedly, Prine went on to be awarded the Division V, Non-select Outstanding Player Award.
Behind the team’s massive success was a lineup of coaches that included Head Coach Chris Brumley, Associate Head Daniel Litton, Assistant Ashlee Bennett, and Assistant Derek Jordan. Earning the Louisiana Sportswriter’s Association’s top bid as Class B Softball Coach of the Year was veteran coach Chris Brumley.
Although this was his first season with the Lady Cats, Brumley brought a wealth of knowledge to the program as a seasoned baseball coach. Returning to his alma mater where he was a member of the 1986 Class B Wildcat State Champion Baseball Team, Brumley set out a goal for the Lady Cats to make the state tourney.
That goal was met as the Lady Cats moved past Maurepaus (15-0) in the regional round of playoffs and Anacoco (4-2) in the quarterfinal round to make the LHSSAA State Tourney for the first time since 2017 and ultimately, take the state’s top honor for the first time since 1994. The Lady Cats ended their historic season with an overall record of 25-7.
Brumley stated after his team’s win, “Prine had an outstanding weekend in the circle striking out 30 batters. I couldn’t have asked for a better performance. Our team came together and locked in when it mattered most.
The ending to this season is one these girls and coaches will remember for a lifetime.”
The Lady Cats were the recipients of several honors. Named to the District 3-B, First Team All-District Squad were senior Rayni Rivers and juniors Avery Prine, Summer Brumley, Abby Friday and Kristin Claire Murray. Rounding out the District 3-B Second Team honors were senior Willa Gregston, sophomore Maci Morgan, 8th Grader Kohley Rivers and 7th Grader Kraegan Jordan.
Additional honors were also extended by the Louisiana Sports Writers Association and the Louisiana Softball Coaches Association as three Lady Cats were named to both organization’s Class B, First Team All-State Roster. Receiving top honors were Avery Prine, Summer Brumley and Rayni Rivers. They were also each named to the Shreveport Times All Area Team.
Thanks to Sabine Parish Director of Student Services Kristy Brumley for supplying the article and photos above.`