The Pelican Softball Report

2025 Tournament of Champions

Doug Gann — Fri, 09 May 2025 23:18:56 +0000

Introducing the 2025 Tournament of Champions, the grand finale to the Dash for Frasch—a battle of the best, a showcase of champions! We’ve taken the 10 crowned bracket winners from this year’s LHSAA State Softball Championships and thrown them into one epic showdown, seeded by their final power rankings. The bracket is set, the matchups are spicy, and the path to the crown runs right through the hearts of Louisiana’s toughest teams.

Here’s the twist: YOU decide who advances! That’s right—no pitches, no umps, no walk-offs—just pure fan power through reader polls on our platforms. Every day brings new battles, new debates, and a whole lot of pride on the line.

We’ll kick things off with the 7 vs. 10 matchup: Doyle vs. Calvin—two squads that made magic happen this season and are now fighting for the right to dance deeper into the bracket. Voting starts today, and you’ve got 24 hours to get your pick in before we roll straight into tomorrow’s 8 vs. 9 showdown: John Curtis vs. Holy Savior Menard.

Who’s got the fanbase? Who’s got the heart? Who’s got the juice to take home the ultimate bragging rights?

Get your votes in, rally your friends, and let’s see which team can ride the wave of support all the way to the Tournament of Champions Winner’s Circle!

Stay locked in to 446Sports and The Pelican Sports Report—we’re just getting started.

'Twas the Night Before Sulphur

Doug Gann — Thu, 01 May 2025 14:04:12 +0000

Good Morning on the Eve of the Semis,

I promised the winners of the Selects and C this morning, but before we get started here’s a little something that, if in fact you stick around after reading… we will be life long friends, lol.

’Twas the night before Sulphur, and all through the State,
40 teams were still standing, still daring, still great.
The brackets were studied by Coaches with care,
In hopes of a trophy to hoist in the air.
The players were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of walk-offs swirled round in their heads.
Coaches were mapping their bunt signs and schemes,
Parents packed airhorns to cheer on their teams.
When out on the turf there arose such a clatter,
446Sports tuned in — “What was the matter?!”
With cameras and notebooks, they dashed to the scene,
“The Dash to Frasch is now rolling — it’s time for the dream!”
The moon on the turf with its emerald glow,
Gave the night a pure magic, a championship show.
And what to our wondering eyes did appear?
A parade of champions, bold without fear.
With freshmen and seniors, so lively and quick,
We knew in a heartbeat, that this was no trick.
More rapid than ever, their lineups soon came,
As the coaches they shouted and called them by name:
“Now Quitman! Now Calvary! Now Eagles, let’s fly!
On Buckeye! On D’Arbonne! On Pine Prairie High!
To the top of the bracket, to Frasch’s big stage,
Dash away! Dash away! Write your next page!”
They conquered the Quarters, survived rain-filled nights,
When bats met balls, they flew to new heights.
So up to the semis, the players soon sped,
But remember you chargers, “My battery’s dead!”
And then, Friday morning, we watched from the ground,
The crack of the bat, the cheer of the crowd.
As I leaned on the fence and turned round the plate,
The turf fields of Sulphur were bursting with fate!
Dressed in their jerseys, from numbers to toes,
With cleats on the turf and bows tied in rows.
Their eyes—how they sparkled! Their grit—how intense!
Their swings were like thunder, their defense immense!
They spoke not a word, but went straight to the task,
Filling box scores and stat sheets — no one needed to ask.
And raising their gloves with a final loud cheer,
They claimed their place in this magical year.
And I heard them exclaim in their magical sort—
“Happy Dash to Frasch all, Follow 446Sports!”

Ok, If you’re still reading here’s a look at the Select winners and Class C

Select D I

Chapelle over John Curtis

St Thomas More over Mt Carmel

Select D II

Vandebilt Catholic is the team to beat for the Title is S II

VC over Buckeye

ED White over St Charles

Select D III

Coaches won’t look ahead, but we will… the Saturday game between Calvary and D’Arbonne is gonna be FULL of stars. Looking forward to that one

Calvary over Parkview Baptist

D’arbonne Woods Charter School over Notre Dame

Select D IV

Holy Savior Menard over Catholic PC

Opelousas Catholic over St John

Class C

Calvin over Summerfield

Northside Christian over Claiborne Christian

As always, these picks are only for fun. We guarantee at least one to be correct or your money back!

While in Sulphur, come find us… We will be the ones in the 446Sports gear. Thanks to Melder’s Trailer Sales here in Cenla for helping provide Dash for Frasch coverage in 2025. If you’re looking for any type of livestock or utility trailer, you owe it to yourself to check them out!

Countdown to Frasch Continues

Doug Gann — Wed, 30 Apr 2025 12:30:00 +0000

From the dugouts of small-town diamonds to the electric energy of Frasch Park, this newsletter was built to celebrate the grit, the glory, and the game we all love.

Each week, we’ll bring you highlights, rising stars, deep dives, and the untold stories that make Louisiana softball one of the most passionate communities in high school and travel ball.
Whether you’re a coach, a player, a parent, or just a diehard fan of the sport — you belong here. This is for you.

Last night we were able to visit with Quitman Head Coach Justin Dodson. Coach Justin and the Lady Wolverines are back and looking for a 2nd straight Title.

Coach Justin Dodson joins The Pelican Sports Report. Click HERE to watch his interview.

“We try to schedule every defending State Champion”… the Regular Season is tough so the Playoffs won’t be.”, said Dodson. Dodson believes that with the return of Senior Cali Deal (LSU signee) and the core group that includes Hallie Kate Pullig, Maggie Guyotte and Zoee Williams among others, they are as good as any team in the State.

Standing in their way is a Semifinal matchup against the defending State Champs from Select DV Grace Christian. In a RARE matchup Quitman and GCS will do battle as DV was dissolved and Class B and Class C voted last year to go back to Class and not Select/Non-Select.

Rylee Guillot is back in the Circle for Grace and should be a good one.

The Lady Warriors hit the ball hard and this is a matchup that you will not want to miss on Friday.

In NS DI it’s a juggernaut of a team in the form of the Sam Houston Lady Broncos sitting atop the rankings. There is no shortage of talent in the Final Four with Walker being the longest shot, seeding wise, but are coming off of wins over Barbe, Sulphur, and #2 Seed Benton.

This morning we reveal our Non-Select Division Picks and Class B. Tomorrow we will unveil Select Divisions and Class C. Leave us a comment on why you agree or disagree. For the record, we don’t usually get our picks correct, but we keep picking… with that said:

Non-Select Division I

Sam Houston over St Amant — The Lady Broncos get past a tough St Amant. They haven’t lost since February 22 and we don’t see things changing now.

Walker over Dutchtown — This is the rubber match between these two teams and Walker is a very misleading 7 seed. Don’t let the ranking fool you. Walker can play.

Non-Select D II

North Desoto over Lutcher — The Lady Griffins are dominant and are poised to play for and win another Title.

Assumption over Brusly — This is a close one and could go either way. (Simply an assumpti… never mind, too easy of a Chuckism)

Non-Select D III

Doyle over Kaplan — Mr. Clean has repeatedly said that Doyle is one of the better teams around and is his pick to win out in a very tough division.

Pine Prairie over Jena — my pick for BEST Game of the Day. Kiette Cooper vs Kynnedi Ware in the Circle features two Pitchers destined for great College careers. Hopefully these two are on. First one to Two runs wins. We think it is PPHS

Non-Select D IV

LaSalle over Oak Grove — From Day 1 LaSalle has been our pick to win this Division. No changing now

Mangham over Logansport — another #7 Seed that plays on Saturday

Class B

Quitman over Grace Christian — This battle of defending D V Champs is won by Quitman behind the power pitching of Cali Deal.

Zwolle over Stanley — Huge win over Anacoco on the road in the Quarters propels Zwolle to the Finals

We will be back tomorrow with more picks. We GUARANTEE at least one of our 10 picks will be correct or your money back.

We’re counting down to 10 champions, 1 dream. Make sure you're subscribed, sharing, and sending your team news to The Pelican Softball Report

✅ Want your team or player featured? Email doug@446sports.com

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Welcome to our First Edition!

Doug Gann — Tue, 29 Apr 2025 05:00:00 +0000

Welcome to the inaugural edition of The Pelican Softball Report — your new home for all things Louisiana softball.
From the dugouts of small-town diamonds to the electric energy of Frasch Park, this newsletter was built to celebrate the grit, the glory, and the game we all love. Each week, we’ll bring you highlights, rising stars, deep dives, and the untold stories that make Louisiana softball one of the most passionate communities in high school and travel ball. Whether you’re a coach, a player, a parent, or just a diehard fan of the sport — you belong here. This is for you.

Every day, new legends are being written on fields across Louisiana. Stay locked in with The Pelican Softball Report as we track every pitch, every upset, and every championship dream on the Road to Frasch.

Let’s showcase our girls, our teams, and our champions — together.
— Doug Gann & the 446Sports Team

***Dash for Frasch coverage brought to you in part by our friends at Melder’s Trailer Sales