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SULPHUR - Teurlings Catholic pitcher Donna Bourgeois struggled at times to find the words to express how she felt after defeating district rival Kaplan 2-0 in Saturday's Class 3A state championship game in Sulphur.
Who could blame her, though? So much hard work, disappointment and accomplishment had gone into this one moment that it was really just overwhelming.
Much like Bourgeois had just been in the circle for seven innings, tossing a no-hitter with 13 strikeouts against the defending Class 3A state champions.
"No, I didn't even think about it (no-hitter),'' Bourgeois said. "I knew I had hit one and walked one, but I wasn't really thinking about that. I was just focused on getting one batter out at a time.
"It just feels so good. Words can't even explain it.''
<center><p><a href="http://www.theadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070429/SPORTS/704290335/1006" target="_blank">The rest of the story</a>
Kevin Foote
kfoote@theadvertiser.com
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Until Saturday's win, the Lady Rebels (27-5) had lost three state finals since winning back-to-back state championships in 2000 and '01.
In her final meeting against Kaplan and stellar sophomore Lady Pirates pitcher Lanie Hollier, Bourgeois saved her best for last. Kaplan reached second base with one out in the fourth, but never threatened after that.
"Playing them for two years, four times a year definitely helps learn their hitters,'' Bourgeois said. "We know each other so well. I have a better idea of what their hitters can hit and can't hit.''
It was pretty obvious early on that neither pitcher was going to give up many runs with just one hit batsman between the two teams through two innings.
"I was hoping that it would be a low-scoring game,'' KHS coach Shay Herpin said. "Really I thought Lanie pitched an excellent game as well. Donna was just really on tonight. No doubt, that was one of the best games she ever threw against us. She had all of her pitches working for her tonight. We just couldn't catch up to Donna tonight.''
Hollier allowed two runs on four hits with one walk and four strikeouts one year after outpitching Bourgeois in a 3-1 victory for Kaplan in last year's state championship game.
"There's definitely a rivalry between us,'' said Bourgeois, who will begin her freshman season at UL next season. "I kind of wish I could be back here again next year.''
As dominant as Bourgeois was, however, the state title couldn't have been won without runs. Senior shortstop Brittany Hebert provided all the necessary pop in the top of the third inning.
Kara Harrington singled and stolen second with one out. Kelly Krantz then singled and stole second with two outs. That set Hebert up for a clutch two-run single up the middle.
"I just looked Lanie in the eye,'' Hebert said. "I wanted it so badly. I just tried to hit it hard on the ground. It just happened to be in the right spot at the right time.''
Bourgeois didn't even let up late, striking out the final four batters she faced.
"(Two runs) were a huge relief,'' Bourgeois said. "That just made me more determined.''
"Hats off to Teurlings,'' Herpin said. "They have a great team. I don't mind losing to good teams. But we don't have anything to hang our heads about. I wouldn't trade our girls for any in the world.''
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