Kaplan’s Olivia Gabor chooses LSU-E

Not many people can say that they are joining a program that has won back-to-back national championships, but Olivia Gabor can.
Gabor signed a national letter of intent Thursday to play softball at LSU-Eunice, a program that has dominated the NJCAA Division II competition for the last few years, including two national championships.
“I really thought I had decided not to play softball anymore, and then coach (Andy) Lee offered me,” Gabor said. “I decided to take a visit and once I went over there and met everybody, I didn’t want to leave. I thought it was the perfect place. It’s not too far from home. I love the atmosphere and the campus. Coach Lee is very nice and I’m happy to play for him.”
The Lady Bengals finished last season with a 62-3 record on their way to winning their second consecutive title, and Gabor admitted the winning tradition at LSU-E was a factor in her decision.
“Winning was another big thing for me,” she said. “If you are going to work hard every day and play 60 games a year, I think a winning place is somewhere you want to go. It shows that they’re doing a good job, and that means a lot to me.”
Gabor’s hard work has been a gift to the Lady Pirate softball program, according to coach Shay Herpin.
“She deserves this,” Herpin said. “She is a hard working individual who has really helped our program. She needs to enjoy it.”
The Lady Pirates have seen a great deal of success over the course of Gabor’s high school career, but have fallen short of the ultimate goal.
The senior said she wants to finish her high school career on the highest note.
“The last three years we made it to Sulphur, but we’ve only got to the quarterfinals,” Gabor said. “We’ve never got to the semis. This year I hope that we can get to the last day on Saturday, and make a name for ourselves.
“I’ve made the All-District team a few times, now I want to take the next step and be an All-State player.”