The Glenbrook Lady Apaches are one victory away from playing for a state championship.
Glenbrook (24-6), the No. 2 seed, faces No. 14 St. Frederick (20-13) in the semifinals of the select Division IV playoffs Saturday at 5 p.m. at Frasch Park in Sulphur, site of the LHSAA Softball State Tournament.
Glenbrook is making its first appearance in the state tournament since joining the LHSAA in the 2021-22 school year.
While winning the championship is of course the ultimate goal, to have an opportunity to do that you have to make it Sulphur. Champions in the LHSAA’s eight divisions and two classes are scheduled to be decided Sunday at Frasch Park.
The Lady Apaches have made the playoffs all four years in which they’ve been eligible.
Glenbrook is playing a familiar foe. St. Frederick knocked the Lady Apaches out of the playoffs in the second round in 2023 and 2024. The Lady Warriors were the higher seed each of those seasons.
Glenbrook received a bye in the first round of this year’s playoffs. The Lady Apaches defeated No. 15 St. Edmund 15-7 in the first round and No. 7 Holy Savior Menard 6-0 in the quarterfinals.
After losing five seniors off last year’s team, second-year Head Coach Tyler Cox’s Lady Apaches showed early in the season they would be a team to be reckoned with. Glenbrook won seven of its first eight games.
The Lady Apaches also put together a 12-game winning streak. All of Glenbrook’s losses have come against 4A and 5A teams.
Cox, who was hired in 2024 after a stint at Zwolle, isn’t surprised by the team’s success.
“Since I was a kid I have dreamed of going to Sulphur and competing for a state championship!.,” he wrote in a Facebook post. “Coming to Glenbrook I knew what the goal was, I knew the standard we would set and I knew this group of girls would get us there!
“Can’t say enough of how proud I am of this group of the work they put in, the time, and the effort they give me day in and day out. I have told so many since losing at Opelousas Catholic last year that we would be back and we’d be just as good if not better, and losing 5 starting seniors I’m not sure they believed it.
“My girls have worked so hard for this, super blessed with the group of girls I have, my assistant coaches, and the ones that are there to support me and the team everyday! 2 to FINSIH! #FindAWay”
Five players who started last season’s 4-1 quarterfinal loss to eventual runner-up Opelousas Catholic returned this season.
Those included this season’s lone senior, shortstop Gabi Brown. The others are freshman third baseman Chloe Gregg, sophomore first baseman Anna Grace Vining, sophomore second baseman Ellie Earnhardt and sophomore left fielder Gracie Heard.
Brown has had an outstanding season and career. Cox said her leadership is one of the main reasons for the team’s success.
“I’d say the leadership from Gabi and just the fight from all the girls that wanted to make it here and win the championship,” he said after a practice in Sulphur Friday.
Cox has gotten production from everyone on the roster.
Freshman Savannah Mangrum saw action last season but this season she stepped into the role of No. 1 pitcher and has been outstanding. She pitched a three-hitter in the quarterfinal victory over Menard.
Sophomore center fielder Addison Chanler, sophomore catcher Hallie Sutton, junior right fielder Kynzie Smith, sophomore Peyton Malone and eighth-graders Addi Ramsey, Kullyn Chanler and Savannah Oglee have also contributed to the team’s success.
Cox said seventh-graders Ellie Kate Perryman, Sadie Powell and Marian Wimberly have also done their part.
St. Frederick defeated No. 19 Westminster Christian 15-0 in the first round. The Lady Warriors upset No. 4 Covenant Christian 5-4 in the second round and No. 6 Sacred Heart 10-8 in the quarterfinals.
Like Glenbrook, the Lady Warriors have played a tough schedule. Eight of St. Frederick’s opponents are playing in the state tournament.
The Lady Warriors lost their five final regular-season games, but three of those were to 5A teams. The other two were to non-select Division III semifinalist Sterlington and non-select Division IV No. 1 seed LaSalle.
St. Frederick had 13 hits and gave up 11 against Sacred Heart. Camille DeGravelle struck out 10 in the victory over Covenant Christian.
“St. Frederick is a tough team,” Cox said. “They’re always tough. Just got to play our game and do what we do best and keep winning.”