Ascension Episcopal wins first state title in program history – The Daily Advertiser

Blue Gators' leadoff hitter Seth Kerstetter had two hits in Ascension Episcopal's 3-0 win over Houma Christian in Wednesday's Division IV state semifinal game.(Photo: SCOTT CLAUSE / USATODAY Network)

Carter Dooley pitches a complete game and Jeffrey Elkins is named MVP of the Division IV state title game as the Ascension Episcopal Blue Gators beat Central Catholic for the first time in school history to win the first state championship in program history.

Ascension Episcopal had a huge chance to blow the game open with only one out and the Blue Gators two best hitters coming to the plate in Elkins and Brady, but Central Catholic's Mire did a great job to wiggle out of the jam. Blue Gators lead 6-3 heading into the bottom half of the inning.

Big inning for the Blue Gators as they take advantage of some mistakes from Central Catholic. Elkins scored after reaching via a hit-by-pitch then scored from third base after an error on Central Catholic's catcher.

Both Lightfoot and Mouton picked up RBI singles in the inning before Central Catholic changed pitchers and put in Thomas Mire. Mire stopped the bleeding, but Ascension Episcopal leads 6-3 now heading into the bottom half of the inning.

Brooks Thomas has done a tremendous job for the Eagles since coming in. Eli Mouton walked to open the inning for the Blue Gators, but was thrown out stealing second and exchanged some words with Central Catholic's shortstop. Ascension Episcopal is tied 3-3 with Central Catholic heading into the bottom third of the inning.

Super quick bottom half of the inning for Dooley on the mound and all of a sudden we are more than halfway through this game. Still tied 3-3 heading into the fifth inning.

Elkins led the inning off with a triple over the center fielder's head, showing some pretty impressive speed, and John Michael Brady drove him in with a sacrifice fly an inning later. Ascension Episcopal leads 3-1 heading into the bottom of the third inning.

Central Catholic tied the game on a Mitch Lemoine single that scored runners from second and third base. Eagles and Blue Gators are locked at 3-3 heading into the fourth inning.

Central Catholic inserted Brooks Thomas into the game as a new pitcher after a lead off walk to start the inning and Thomas shut down the Blue Gators. Ascension Episcopal still leads 2-0 going to the bottom of the second inning.

Gregory Leger hits a home run for Central Catholic to halve the lead for the Eagles on the first pitch that he saw. He was pulled from the mound after one inning of work that saw him struggle. Blue Gators lead 2-1 heading into third inning.

Ascension Episcopal didn't even need to swing the bat to get on the board in the top of the first. A couple of walks, hit batters and wild pitches give the Blue Gators a 2-0 lead.

In the bottom half of the inning Carter Dooley got the Eagles to go down in order in an impressive half inning.

Ascension Episcopal is gearing up to play Central Catholic in the Division IV state title game in Sulphur.

The Blue Gators have never beaten Central Catholic and are trying to win the first state title in program history.

Game is running late due to other games running slow. First pitch will be roughly around 8:30 p.m.

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Ascension Episcopal wins first state title in program history - The Daily Advertiser