Landry, Russo net top honors on 1A All-State softball team

The Central Catholic Lady Eagles finished their 2015 softball season on top of the Class 1A playing field with a state title.
So fittingly, the squad swept the individual honors on the Louisiana Sports Writers Association’s Class 1A All-State team as pitcher Megan Landry was named the state’s Most Valuable Player and Joe Russo, Coach of the Year.
They were joined on the team by seniors, infielder Brittany Longman and utility selection Kaitlyn Gros.
“I’m very happy for those kids,” Russo said. “I know the hard work (that they’ve put in). I’ve spent years with these kids and seen them develop, and it’s just a great feeling and a great thing for the program to have the success that we’ve had.”
Landry pitched in every game for the Lady Eagles this season, leading the squad to a 26-3 mark. She finished the season with 19 shut outs, five no hitters, five one-hitter and one perfect game.
In 173 innings this season, she surrendered 22 runs — 16 earned — on 68 hits with 25 walks and 311 strikeouts. The Nicholls State signee had an ERA of 0.65 as a senior and finished her career with 1,008 strikeouts.
Offensively as a senior, she batted .506 with 12 doubles, 24 runs and 31 RBIs.
She was the co-MVP of District 7-1A and MVP of the state title game.
Russo, who has 200-plus wins in his career, won his first state title and coached the Lady Eagles to a 26-3 mark.
Asked to talk about his honor, Russo said, “It was never ever about me. It was about enjoying the game, trying to do the best I could do as a coach and working with the many kids that I’ve worked with, and it just happened. I’m very thankful. I’m very humbled, but I really don’t want it to be about me because it was never a goal that I had that I wanted to be coach of the year. The goal was always just work hard and get better. It’s just a humbling experience to see where that has brought us.”
Longman finished her senior season with a .475 batting average with 31 RBIs. She was perfect in the field with a fielding percentage of 1.000.
Gros batted .388 with 26 runs, 14 stolen base and had a .908 fielding percentage.
Below is the complete sports writers association All-State team:
Pitcher: Mary Terral, Cedar Creek, sophomore; Megan Landry, Central Catholic, senior; Ryann Bizette, Catholic-PC, sophomore; Julia Beck, Ascension Catholic, junior.
Catcher: Peyton Eschette, Houma Christian, senior.
Infield: Brittany Longman, Central Catholic, senior; Miranda Smart, Mangham, senior; Blaire Bass, Catholic-PC, senior; Anna Larr Roberson, Cedar Creek, eighth grade.
Outfield: Maddy Matt, St. Mary’s, junior; Kaitlin Cooper, Cedar Creek, freshman; Noel Baker, Hanson Memorial, sophomore.
Utility: Kaitlyn Gros, Central Catholic, senior; Raeshaun Melancon, Ascension Catholic, junior; Claire Roy, Catholic-PC, senior; Amy Bonvillain, Houma Christian, senior; Savannah LeJeune, Catholic-PC, senior.
Outstanding player: Megan Landry, Central Catholic
Coach of the year: Joe Russo, Central Catholic
Honorable mention: Hannah Vercher, Montgomery; Cameron Beal, Houma Christian; Madelyn Carlos, Houma Christian School; Zoe LeBouef, Covenant Christian Academy; Karley Poindexter, Mangham; Hanna Egan, Merryville; Sydnee McCall, South Cameron; Haley Gray, Cedar Creek; Graycyn Dye, Mangham; Rachel Collins, Mangham; Hannah Vercher, Montgomery; Jennifer Greene, Oberlin; Brooke Anderson, Ouachita Christian; Kennedy Heisler, Mangham; Aimee Prejeant, Ascension Catholic.
Additional reporting by www.nola.com