Lady Flashes host/win Catholic tournament
Photos/Text by Paul Ingram
VICKSBURG – The St. Aloysius Lady Flashes Fast Pitch Softball Team hosted the first Catholic Schools Softball Tournament at Vicksburg’s Bazinsky Fields on Saturday, Feb. 21. Traveling for the tournament were the St. Joseph Lady Irish from Greenville, the St. Joseph Lady Bruins from Madison, and the Lady Waves from Cathedral School, Natchez.
The tournament was single round-robin format in which every team plays every other team once. The tournament began with Father Malcolm O’Leary, pastor of Vicksburg St. Mary Parish delivering the invocation.
The theme for the tournament was Mardi Gras, with Lady Flashes parents preparing red beans and rice, jambalaya, smoked brisket sandwiches, plus homemade snacks and desserts. Parents coordinated a raffle of donated softball bats, several door prizes, and gave out Mardi Gras beads throughout the day. Many orders were taken for commemorative t-shirts featuring all four team logos.
In her welcoming remarks, tournament organizer Reneé McGuffee, office secretary at St. Aloysius, stressed that although the participating schools are often very competitive on the fields, the purpose of the tournament was a day of fun, fellowship and friendly athletic competition – and a celebration of the common values of our Catholic education.
“We believe this was a great start to what we hope becomes a long tradition for this event,” said McGuffee. “We had a great many compliments from our guests and it was all due to everyone helping where and when needed.”
The Lady Flashes came away with the trophies this year, with the Lady Irish taking second place. St. Al received a large trophy that will return with the school that wins the tournament each year. Plus, a winner’s trophy was presented for the school’s permanent trophy collection.
Additional photos of the tournament can be seen at http://www.flash photos.us/ and at mississippicatholic.com.
