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West Monroe softball played 'for Evie' as it advances to semifinals
TL;DR
West Monroe softball team advanced to the semifinals, playing in memory of Evie. The team dedicated their performance to honor her legacy.
Key points
- West Monroe softball team advanced to semifinals
- Team played in memory of Evie
- Game held at Shelby Aulds Field
- Sign displays years of district titles
The sun going down at Shelby Aulds Field.
A sign at Shelby Aulds Field displaying all the years where West Monroe won district titles.
West Monroe and Ouachita Christian prior to the national anthem at their baseball contest at Shelby Aulds Field.
West Monroe senior Bradyn Cupit.
West Monroe senior Ryder DeJean.
West Monroe junior Carson Hawsey.
West Monroe junior Peyton Starr.
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See photos of West Monroe baseball throughout the 2025-26 season
The sun going down at Shelby Aulds Field.
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See photos of West Monroe baseball throughout the 2025-26 season
The sun going down at Shelby Aulds Field.
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See photos of West Monroe baseball throughout the 2025-26 season
A sign at Shelby Aulds Field displaying all the years where West Monroe won district titles.
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See photos of West Monroe baseball throughout the 2025-26 season
West Monroe and Ouachita Christian prior to the national anthem at their baseball contest at Shelby Aulds Field.
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See photos of West Monroe baseball throughout the 2025-26 season
West Monroe senior Bradyn Cupit.
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See photos of West Monroe baseball throughout the 2025-26 season
West Monroe senior Ryder DeJean.
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See photos of West Monroe baseball throughout the 2025-26 season
West Monroe junior Carson Hawsey.
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See photos of West Monroe baseball throughout the 2025-26 season
West Monroe junior Peyton Starr.
WEST MONROE — Evie West continues to be one of her team’s biggest contributors.
After getting injured while tagging out a Barbe baserunner in the top of the first, the West Monroe sophomore smashed a one-out double on the first pitch she saw in her team’s quarterfinal matchup against the Lady Bucs. While Evie exited the game, her junior sister, Ava, continued giving West Monroe a spark with her two-run homer to center field.
The Lady Rebels didn’t just want to advance to the LHSAA semifinals for the fourth time in six seasons. They played their hearts out even more for Evie and, in the words of five-time national championship-winning LSU baseball coach Skip Bertman, “held the rope.”
For the second time this postseason, West Monroe immediately responded after trailing. Sophomores Brooklyn Pate and Brylin Florentine also drove in runs; Florentine’s three-run homer to left field was among the Lady Rebels’ biggest plays.
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The West Monroe Lady Rebels softball team will advance to the LHSAA semifinals for the fourth time in six seasons.
They are heading to Sulphur for the fourth time in six seasons following their 11-4 victory against Barbe.
“It’s a moment we’ve all been dreaming of. We’ve been working hard over all this summer and this whole season to go to Sulphur,” Ava said. “This has been one of our biggest goals, and we’re just so happy right now. We just want to go celebrate with each other.”
Evie (19 home runs, 59 RBIs) isn’t just one of the top players for Division I nonselect No. 3 West Monroe (26-8) but throughout the state. She hit go-ahead homers in multiple games for the Lady Rebels this spring, including in the regular season finale at reigning D-III nonselect runner-up Jena and in the regionals against Benton.
Lady Rebels coach Brian West said postgame Evie will play in the semifinals against No. 10 Live Oak.
West Monroe sophomore Evie West.
“I’m just extremely proud of her for at least getting back up there and swinging for us and getting the momentum started for us, hitting that double in the gap,” Ava said. “We just went up there and were like, ‘We’re going to play for Evie since she’s not here. She’s out right now.’ I was just like, ‘I’m going to pick my sister up and I’m going to go out there and we’re going to go win it.’”
Ava finished the day with a 3-for-4 outing at the plate and struck out three Barbe batters in 1 ½ innings of relief. Florentine said she went through an offensive slump and was proud she contributed for her team with her eighth home run of the season.
One of West Monroe’s top players this postseason is Parker Burford. After allowing three Barbe solo shots in the top of the third, the senior fought back in her final home outing in the circle and retired nine out of the final 11 Lady Bucs batters.
West Monroe senior Parker Burford.
“I was definitely a little stressed, but I knew my defense had my back,” Burford said. “I knew that our bats were hot.”
Live Oak defeated last year’s champion and No. 2-ranked Sam Houston in the quarterfinals and advanced to Sulphur for the third time in four seasons. The Lady Eagles’ last title game appearance was in 2008; their last championship came in 1995.
“We’re excited about the opportunity (to play in Sulphur), but we’ve still got a lot of work to do,” West said. “We’ve got a week to prepare and go down there and give it our best shot.”
West shared a special moment with his older daughters Ava and Evie and embraced his wife, Nicole, and youngest daughter, Estelle. The Lady Rebels ran down the right-field line postgame and high-fived their friends standing on truck beds, including members of the West Monroe baseball team.
“I love how everyone comes together and supports each other,” Florentine said. “(On Friday) we all went to the baseball game (against Destrehan) after our practice to support. I loved to see all of them come over here and support us like we did them.”
The Lady Rebels crowd exploded with energy even before the first pitch and jumped to their feet before the final out was made. West, a 1999 West Monroe graduate, and his family will forever be proud of the community they call home.
“If we get half these fans to come down to Sulphur and help represent us down there, I tell you what, there’s not going to be many seats left,” West said. “This is what West Monroe is all about, the community support. You got the student body, the fans, the other coaches, the administration, just everybody coming out and supporting it. It truly is exciting to see that when you talk about a softball game in high school.”
More Monroe-area quarterfinal scores
Division III nonselect
Friday, April 24: No. 1 Jena 5, No. 8 Berwick 0
Friday, April 24: No. 5 Sterlington 16, No. 4 Winnfield 1
Division IV nonselect
Saturday, April 25: No. 1 LaSalle 3, No. 8 DeQuincy 2
Saturday, April 25: No. 2 Oak Grove 11, No. 7 Oakdale 0
Division III select
Saturday, April 25: No. 4 D'Arbonne Woods Charter 6, No. 5 St. Louis Catholic 5
Class B
Wednesday, April 22: No. 2 Quitman 8, No. 7 Bell City 4
Class C
Thursday, April 23: No. 2 Claiborne Christian 8, No. 7 Plainview 7
Division IV select
Friday, April 24: No. 14 St. Frederick 10, No. 6 Sacred Heart 8
Friday, April 24: No. 4 Ascension Catholic 6, No. 12 Cedar Creek 4
This article originally appeared on Monroe News-Star: West Monroe softball advances LHSAA Division I nonselect semifinals
Q&A
Why did West Monroe softball play 'for Evie'?
The West Monroe softball team dedicated their performance to honor Evie, who holds significance for the team.
What stage of the tournament did West Monroe softball reach?
West Monroe softball advanced to the semifinals of the tournament.
Where did the West Monroe softball game take place?
The game took place at Shelby Aulds Field.
How many district titles has West Monroe softball won?
The article mentions a sign at Shelby Aulds Field displaying all the years West Monroe won district titles, indicating a history of success.
