By-U Thoughts: Vandebilt softball the gold standard on and off the field

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By CASEY GISCLAIR

By-U Sports

Senior pitcher Lauren Baudoin threw her glove up in the air and let out a scream.

Catcher Hays Rutledge lifted off her mask and started a dead sprint to her pitcher. As the catcher started her sprint, the dugout cleared onto the field and the infield and outfield players collapsed around the middle of the infield dirt into an all-out dogpile.

For the third year in a row, Vandebilt was officially the state champions.

By now, it’s no secret that Vandebilt won the Division II Select State Title, outlasting all comers on their way to the top.

The team had talent across the field. Their lineup was deep 1 through 9 and their pitching, defense and camaraderie are all to a championship standard.

But while I could spend hours typing about balls, strikes, home runs, doubles and softball related things, I want to offer my column space this week to that last part: camaraderie.

I want to tell you about why I believe Vandebilt is now the 3-time defending state champions in softball.

For me, it’s not just because the team is made up of champions on the field. To me, it’s because they’re comprised of champions off the field as well.

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“Hey Mr. Casey,” shouted an enthusiastic voice a couple weeks ago on the Vandebilt campus.

I turned, looked and immediately smiled. It was Rutledge telling me hello. I told Hays hello back and asked for Coach Spearman. I needed permission to film from his dugout on that day.

I’ve known Hays Rutledge for years – since the beginning of her career. A nicer kid you will never meet. Since getting to know Hays, every time we see her, she acknowledges our presence and thanks us for our effort in promoting high school sports. We appreciate that so much.

I got to Coach Spearman and he was watching his team warmup before its game. About 4-5 others saw me and offered pleasantries. A few others came out of their way after warmups were over to thank us for covering their game.

Among all of the teams we cover, Vandebilt softball has a vibe and a presence. The kids are good and they know it. But they also do the right things with class, with grace and with respect for the game.

During this particular game, the Terriers had a big lead. Hays came over a couple times in between innings and offer a couple jokes.

While the game went on and the Terriers were at the plate, the team cheered on their teammates … loudly. Banging drumsticks, singing songs, chanting cheers, they rooted on their peers. When the backups came in, the starters did the same. Everyone on the team is a Terrier.

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“So you’re still at it, huh?” I asked Margaret Johnson in the top of the first inning of this game. Coach Johnson was the head coach of Vandebilt for years and has enough rings to open a jewelry shop. She is unquestionably among the best coaches in the history of the state.

“Oh yeah, it’s been fun,” Johnson said back before explaining to me that she’s taking it all day-by-day.

Coach Johnson is a machine. Before the game, she sat at first base and went through a full stretching routine. I wondered why, but then saw because as she coaches, she puts her all into it. She’s a legend. She’s elite.

“Is this video going to have audio?” she said with a laugh when the game started.

“Yeah,” I said back.

“Well, maybe I have to keep my mouth shut,” she said laughing.

To have Margaret Johnson as your assistant coach, James Spearman as your head coach and the rest of that Vandebilt staff is an absolute luxury. Those are great people, great coaches and some of the brightest minds in the state.

Coach Johnson is one of my favorites I’ve ever covered. To have a passion that burns as bright as hers does for softball is amazing to see. Those girls are lucky to be able to soak in that knowledge.

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As I walked out of the game as the game ended in a run-rule, two voices shouted my way.

“Mr. Casey,” they both said.

“Yeah?” I said back, thinking I had forgotten a camera lens or a piece of equipment.

“Thanks for coming,” one said back with a smile.

“See you in Sulphur,” said the other.

I was not yet scheduled to go to Sulphur before that conversation. I booked my room that night. If you’re going to show loyalty to me, I will to you.

I was told later by a few parents that the kids “were thrilled” to hear that someone local was going to cover their event. That means so much to me to know that our work is making a positive impact on an amazing group of kids.

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On the day of the State Title Game, it was a Sunday. Vandebilt stayed overnight in Sulphur. The ladies could have slept in, rested, and gotten off their feet. They instead got in their uniforms early and got together as a team for Sunday mass.

They found a Sulphur area Catholic church and went to mass as a team. The girls then went from church to the park and competed, playing at a high level for a second-straight day to score a 2-0 win over Hannan.

The girls were amazing. They pitched, played amazing defense and got the timely hits when they needed to.

I walked out of Sulphur after posting an inning-by-inning breakdown of their game.

In my DM’s popped up a comment from a child on the team. At a time when she could have still been with her team, she thought of me: “Thank you so much for coming support us,” she said.

It was a long week. I was drained and tired.

I smiled walking out of the park and pumped my fists to celebrate their win. A weekend being unbiased, it was time to be a fan.

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When they finally let it all out and the emotions poured over, it was Sunday night in Sulphur. Before the charter bus left, the Terrier fans in Sulphur had an unofficial pep rally to celebrate the team. The girls laughed, danced, cut up and were kids. The machine that is Vandebilt softball never looked more human.

As a whole, the 9 players on the field are one impenetrable unit. As individuals, they are just kids. They laughed, smiled, shook a leg and danced the night away before getting on the bus and heading home.

The title, they will always remember, yes. The party they will, too.

Back at home, the Terriers got off the bus before a huge audience of fans. Coach James Spearman first got off the bus with the trophy in hand. Other players came off the bus with their pillows, blankets, softball bags and other things they brought on the trip.

A small crowd roared and showed their support.

The girls – exhausted by the trip, but also still riding that adrenaline waved and were excited by the crowd.

They did it again, and it made the whole community proud.

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In writing this column, I could have gone so many different ways. I could have talked about how Vandebilt did not allow a run in Sulphur. I could have talked about how elite their defense was or how they got timely hits when they needed them.

Leave that to the history books.

I wanted this column to show something different.

The Vandebilt Catholic softball program is a championship program and they are a championship program because of their talent and elite coaches, yes. But they are able to push past adversity and overcome the challenges because in addition to that coaching and talent, they are a group that has great vibe, elite chemistry and they are comprised of girls who are of high character who believe and are bought in.

That matters. A lot.

Vandebilt has it.

When looking at the rings on their fingers, some might be green with envy and that’s OK.

But those girls are winners both on and off the field and when the going gets tough, that’s the part that puts this team just about always on the right end of the scoreboard.

And that, above all else, is what needs to be said about this program, the program that is Louisiana’s gold standard softball team.

Congratulations ladies and coaches!

It was a true joy to watch you work.