In this edition of the Triple Play, staff writers Warren Arceneaux and Rodrick Anderson take a look at the next season of high school softball in Southwest Louisiana.

Name a large school team to watch.

WA: Iowa returns eight of the nine hitters in the lineup from the 3A championship game. Ace pitcher Arlee Darbonne is a huge loss, but the Jackets will have a pair of sophomores in Parker Daigle and Ayla Stollsteimer that have some experience in the circle. Ana Alexander, Kamryn Broussard, Kylie Boudreaux, Kamryn Howard and Cyndi Reed, the top five hitters in the batting order, all return.

RA: Sam Houston started the season 3-2 and had a late three-game losing streak, but became the comeback kids in the postseason to reach the Class 5A semifinals for the first time since 2018, including an upset of No. 1 Pineville in the quarterfinals. The Broncos lose two senior starters in Kamryn Lafosse and Madelyn England, but return the rest of the lineup including pitchers Lexi Dibbley and Mallory Wills and plenty of offensive weapons including junior Brylie Fontenot and freshman Carolina Eidson.

Name a small school team to watch.

WA: East Beauregard made a great run to the state tournament under first year head coach Mandy Clendening. Pitcher Camryn Reeves, catcher Hailie Daigle and shortstop Haylie Burnett will all return to lead the Trojans next season.

RA: Only a tough-luck play in the fifth inning of its semifinal game against Port Barre stopped Kinder from reaching the Class 2A finals for the first time since 2019. With just one starter graduating in senior third baseman Asia Richard, it could be a start of several consecutive trips to the state tournament.

Kinder returns one of the most promising freshmen pitchers in the state in Bri Fontenot (19-3, 172k/19 HR, 77 RBI).

Name a player to watch.

WA: Third baseman Mary Wicke helped Bell City reach the quarterfinals for the first time ever, hitting .480 with five home runs. The junior will return next year in hopes of leading the Bruins to their first state tournament appearance.

RA: Sophomore Emma Huber batted leadoff for South Beauregard and helped them reach the quarterfinals for the third consecutive season. Huber batted nearly .500 in district play and will have to take on a bigger role with power-hitters Morgan Eaves and Emelie Price graduating.