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LAFAYETTE — After five consecutive years of advancing to the softball state semifinals, Riverside Academy is still searching for a way to overcome that final hurdle standing in the way of the Division IV championship game.

This year’s playoff run ended in a 7-1 loss to Calvary Baptist in the semifinals last Friday at the St. Julien Complex in Broussard. Calvary Baptist, the No. 2 seed, went on to claim the state title by defeating Opelousas Catholic 8-4 on Saturday.

Riverside Academy coach Tamra Regalo said the semifinals started out promising. Alainah Felton, Kylie Bordelon and Amber Paleremo threw solid pitches, but Calvary Baptist had some talented slappers who found a way to get on base.

The Lady Rebels weren’t as hot at bat as in previous games this season, and they couldn’t build the momentum needed to get ahead in the game.

It was a different story in the quarterfinals against Cedar Creek. The final home game proved to be the most electrifying game of the season as Riverside Academy knocked five homers.

“I love to be able to go to Sulphur, but man, I love to be able to go into the playoffs on our home field,” Regalo said.

The seven juniors on the team will form a powerful senior class for the 2023 season. The Lady Rebels are losing only one senior this year as Alonah Felton prepares to take her game to the next level at Alcorn State in Mississippi.

“We will have to find a way to get over that semifinal hump, and I believe we are fully capable of doing it,” Regalo said. “We’re losing one senior who is going on to play at the next level, and we’re returning everybody else. It will be a really promising program again.”

Camryn Loving, Ann Claire Mistretta and Ava Fernandez will continue providing leadership to the team. Camille Mistretta will be taking over in the catcher position, and Regalo looks forward to returning pitcher Emily Vicknair after she is cleared from surgery.

“I think if they continue to work and build throughout the summer and the fall, I’d love to be able to play in that state championship,” Regalo said. “We just have to dig a little bit deeper. It’s a really hardworking group of kids, and I’m excited to see what they can do.”

Baseball

Ranked No. 15, the Riverside Academy baseball team ended its season in the regional round of the Division IV playoffs after a best-of-three loss to No. 2 Ascension Catholic.

Game one on Friday, April 29 ended in a 5-1 loss for the Rebels. Luke Hymel pitched for six innings and struck out 10.

Ascension Catholic gained an early lead over the Rebels in game two, scoring six runs in the first inning. The game ended with a score of 10-3. Riverside Academy had 19 wins and 14 losses this season. Guided by a stellar coaching staff, including head coach Marty Luquet and pitching coach Bill Calhoun, the Rebels baseball program is continuing to get bigger and stronger.