For the second year in a row, Pope John Paul II is playing in quarterfinal round of the state playoffs in the state tournament at Sulphur's Frasch Park after its 6-3 victory over French Settlement last Friday. The game is set for 2 p.m. on Field 14 against Rosepine, which is located between Deridder and Leesville.

Today's winner will take on either Pine Prairie or South Beauregard tomorrow morning at 11 on Field 18. The finals are slated for 5 p.m. tomorrow on Field 15.

Pope John Paul, the No. 2 seed in the LHSAA Class 2A state softball tournament and the District 9-2A champs, has posted a 23-1-3 record this season. Last season, the Lady Jaguars made it to this round before being beaten by St. Charles Catholic, 8-6.

Pope John Paul IIs Laura Ricciardone will look to pitch her team to the semifinals this afternoon at the state tournament in Sulphur. (File Photo by Chris Kinkaid)

First-year coach Lonna Winslow said her team is taking it one game at a time.

"Every game is the first game. We're going into this and trying to play our best," Winslow said.

The coach added her team, which left for Sulphur last night, is relaxed.

PJP will rely on the arm of sophomore Laura Ricciardone (16-1-3). In last Friday's game, she surrendered three unearned runs in the second inning but came back to retire the final 16 hitters of the game and even had to endure about a 20-minute rain delay.

At the plate, Meghan Collins and Ricciardone set the table for Shelly Pontiff, who is a scoring threat every time she gets to the plate. Last Friday, Pontiff posted two hits and three runs batted in and stole a base.

Rosepine comes into today's action with a 19-12-1 record. The Lady Eagles are an experienced but young group. Some of the players have been playing since seventh or eighth grade. The squad features one senior, second baseman Ashley Austin, who has been starting since eighth grade. The team also has three juniors and seven freshmen.

One of the juniors is center fielder Hannah Welborn, who has also been starting since seventh grade. Rosepine coach Matt Brown said she usually hits between fifth and seventh in the order.

The pitcher is sophomore Ashley Austin (18-7), who has been a full-time starter for the Lady Eagles since seventh grade.

Brown said there are no slouches when you get to Sulphur.

"We have to prepare for a good team, especially this time of year. I remember watching them and St. Charles (last year). They have some big kids," Brown said