SULPHUR -- The goose bumps on the arms of Vandebilt Catholic softball coach Margaret Johnson were the same following another state title on Saturday night, but the way in which this team won its Class 4A championship was different.

There weren’t any long home runs in the playoffs, and there weren’t any amazing defensive plays like the ones that lifted Vandebilt to state titles in the past.

The 2008 version of the state champion Lady Terriers relied on the left arm of Lauren Crane, the solid, fundamentally sound defense behind her, execution on offense and poise under tremendous pressure in two one-run games Saturday to claim the program’s 13th ever state title.

They clinched it with a 1-0 victory over Live Oak in a 10-inning game at Frasch Park on Saturday night.

Earlier in the day, the Lady Terriers advanced to its 18th state title game with a 1-0 victory over District 8-4A rival No. 5 Belle Chasse in an eight-inning semifinal.

No. 1 seeded Vandebilt (30-5-2) outscored its opponents 47-0 in the playoffs, largely because of what Crane did in the circle.

In five playoffs games (the first was a 33-0 win over Karr) Crane didn’t allow a run, gave up 17 hits, struck out 45 batters and walked six, and for good measure added the title-winning hit that scored Chelsea Allen in the top of the 10th inning against No. 3 Live Oak on Saturday night.

"She became the best pitcher she could become," Johnson said. "What she did in the playoffs says a lot. She controlled the tempo and believed in her defense behind her."

One thing that was the same for Vandebilt, which beat Bastrop in the second round and Neville in the quarterfinals, this season was it got solid play from its group of seniors throughout the year and especially in the postseason.

Crane, Lauren Martinez, Kacey Clark, Heather Bergeron and Maddie Constant all contributed mightily after falling to St. Thomas More in the semifinals as juniors in 2007.

"I can’t say enough about what they did. Even before we started softball in January, our seniors were already eyeing the tournament," Johnson said. "They wanted to end their senior year with the gold, and they fought. It was a hard battle because we faced some tough competition. They were tremendous leaders. They were determined."

Crane started her high-school career at Mt. Carmel in New Orleans, but after Hurricane Katrina shut the city down for a time, her family moved to Houma and she enrolled at Vandebilt.

"It was really tough my sophomore year because I really loved my (old) school," Crane said. "But once I got to know Vandebilt, I knew I was better off. I couldn’t ask for better coaches. They taught me everything I know about softball."

As for Mt. Carmel, it won the Class 5A crown over Pineville minutes after and just feet from where Crane and Vandebilt took home the 4A title.

"We were in the same hotel and we were cheering each other on," Crane said. "I am happy for them.