Tough schedule helps Berwick find success

Don’t be fooled by the record.

On paper, the Berwick Lady Panthers appear to be a below-average softball team with a 10-17 overall record.

But walk into the stadium, and you’re immediately reminded of the program’s storied history.

As visiting teams enter the Lady Panthers’ softball complex, two banners greet them – one behind the home dugout reading “2003 Class AAA State Champions” and one on the press box reading “1998 Class AAA State Champions.”

Couple that with 19 other playoff appearances since 1983 all displayed on the centerfield wall, and the Lady Panthers have become somewhat of a powerhouse on the softball diamond.

So, being seven games under .500 doesn’t faze them one bit, especially considering the quality of competition they have played this season.

It’s what has gained the program the recognition it has received over the last two decades.

Head coach Lloyd Burchill said he always schedules tougher competition because it exposes his team’s weaknesses early, which helps during the district season.

It appears the idea has worked, as the Lady Panthers are out to a 5-1 district start before the start of yesterday’s game against Patterson (check www.tri-parishtimes.com for results).

In their pre-district schedule this season, the Lady Panthers have clashed with 5A powers St. Amant, St. Thomas More and Lafayette who were a combined 58-10-1 as of last week.

It’s a big task for anyone to overcome, but a bit tougher for a Class 3A school.

Overall, their non-district opponents possess a 282-148 (.655) overall record, making it one of the toughest in the state.

“We don’t look at the win and loss record,” the coach admitted. “We schedule like that on purpose because it prepares us for the playoffs. We’re going to get beat by the better teams because we just aren’t quite as good as them. But once we get back into 3A, it helps us compete and make a run at the playoffs.”

The players have responded as well, showing signs of improvement every time they take the field, the coach said.

This late in the season, the coach complimented his pitching staff – especially sophomore Elizabeth Manferie for her performance on the mound.

“She’s turning around hitting her spot and getting her changeup right,” the coach explained. “That’s very important. She’s getting better as the season goes on. If we are going to make any noise in district or in the playoffs, pitching is going to have to be a big part of that.”

In the five district wins to this point, Burchill pointed to consistent play on defense as also being the key.

It’ll be up to Manferie’s teammates around her to back her up.

The Lady Panthers’ starting lineup has the potential to be one of the best in the district, but there is still a lot of work to do, he said.

Backing up Manferie are infielders Emily Duhtu (catcher), Sarah Gros (first baseman), Nadine Fontenot (second baseman), Mindy Leonard (third baseman) and Kaitlin Kates (shortstop).

Amber Girard (left field), Liz Bergeron (centerfield) and Megan Fegenbush (right field) have been the key players in the outfield for the Lady Panthers, along with designated hitter Courtney Henry. Her main job is to get hits and get on base.

However, despite a decent defensive performance, Burchill noted that hitting is not where it should be. In the team’s 2-0 lone district loss to E.D. White, the Lady Panthers failed to connect on pitches.

The coach believes if the team is to make any kind of run at another district championship, they must hit the ball better.

“We have to learn to wait on the ball and drive the ball the opposite direction, be patient at the plate and make good decisions,” he said. “We’re just not being patient at the plate right now. Our hitting is not where it needs to be right now if we want to have a deep run. We run the bases pretty good, but we have to hit the ball better if we want to have success.”

No matter what happens, with one district game left, E.D. White (April 9), the Lady Panthers are expecting to have to work for another district championship.

“It’s going to be a dogfight over the next couple of weeks,” Burchill stressed. “Patterson and E.D. White, I’m sure they are both going to have a lot to say about us believing we can win district again. Our goal is always to get to the playoffs and win there.”

“Once we’re there, we’re 0-0 all over again,” he added.