Robert Gary Ingram
June 9, 2008
Marilyn Chapman Moore
June 11, 2008
Lauren Crane thought last Wednesday night was only about celebrating another state softball championship, a victory dinner at Mike’s Steakhouse with teammates and their families.
The Vandebilt Catholic graduate did not know that at the end of the evening, she would receive the highest honor of her pitching career.
Crane was awarded the 2008 Louisiana Farm Bureau’s Miss Softball trophy by local agent Gordon Dorion to a thunderous ovation.
“I wasn’t expecting it, but it just lets me know all the hard work paid off,” she said. “I worked really hard, and my team was behind me 100 percent. It’s just a really big honor to know that I was voted for this”
Crane dominated the season as Vandebilt went 31-5-2 en route to its second Class 4A state title in three years.
On the mound, the left-hander went 26-4 with a 0.40 ERA and struck out 262 batters in 193 innings.
“This has been her best year pitching,” said Vandebilt head coach Margaret Johnson, “and all of it is attributed to her coaching, her pitching coach James Spearman.”
At the plate, Crane batted .452 and drove in 35 RBIs.
Her biggest hit scored the game-winning run in the Class 4A state championship game against Live Oak for the 1-0 victory in 10 innings.
Crane and the Lady Terriers were perfect in their five playoff games, outscoring their opponents 48-0.
“We were just so determined to win, and every game we were so focused,” she said. “Our defense didn’t make any errors. We just wouldn’t let them score.”
Crane arrived at Vandebilt three years ago after Hurricane Katrina flooded her family’s Kenner home. Making the decision to stay instead of returning to her previous school – Mt. Carmel Academy – has proven to be a wise choice.
“She (coach Johnson, who is Crane’s second cousin) just told me to give Vandebilt softball a chance, and that I would be a lot better here,” Crane said. “It paid off; I wouldn’t be as good if it wasn’t for them.”
She helped the Lady Terriers win the 2006 Class 4A state title primarily as a hitter. She batted over .300 while her pitching form developed.
It helped to back up another Vandebilt softball pitching great, Megan Price. Crane was a sophomore at the time.
“I watched her every game and at practice,” said Crane. “I wanted to win a state championship as a pitcher like she did. She inspired me a lot.”
Crane’s growth as a pitcher during the last two seasons has been remarkable, but not surprising to those who know her.
“I think it’s attributed to her work ethic,” said Johnson. “She’s a determined young lady. She’ll work every day if she feels she needs to get better, and that’s what she did.”
“I never expected I’d get so much better,” Crane echoed. “I was OK, but once I met coach Johnson and coach Spearman, they turned me into a much better player, both mentally and physically.”
Next season, Crane takes her prodigious talent to Spring Hill College in Mobile, Ala., a small Jesuit school that competes in the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference (GCAC).
“I loved the coaches and how the team bonded together,” she said. “They told me they needed another pitcher and hitter to start next year. I really liked the idea that I’d start.”
The past two winners of the Miss Softball Award, which the Louisiana Sports Writers Association has given since 1996, played in the 2008 NCAA Women’s College World Series.
Kellie Eubanks (2005), a junior shortstop, helped Alabama advance to the semifinals, while Ashley Brignac (2006 and 2007), a freshman pitcher, led UL-Lafayette to an upset of top-ranked Florida before losing to Alabama.
Crane may not play in the College World Series, but success at the next level seems within her grasp.
“There’s no doubt she has great leadership material,” Johnson insisted. “She is going to be a tremendous leader on her college team.”
However, she will have to adjust to a 43-foot distance from the mound to home plate instead of 40 feet.
“I believe over the summer, her pitching coach is going to be working with her to make sure that adjustment is taken care of before she goes to college,” said Johnson.
“It’ll help me a lot with my jump pitches and my movement, but it will make my speed a little slower,” Crane said of the distance transition. “I just have to get used to it. But as long as I work hard and get my speed back up, it’ll be good.”
Vandebilt Catholic graduate Lauren Crane receives the 2008 Louisiana Farm Bureau’s Miss Softball trophy for her outstanding pitching and batting. * Photo by KEYON K. JEFF
