Staff writer
Can the red-hot Ruston Bearcats baseball team pull off a two-step Saturday and dance into the LHSAA Class 5A playoff quarterfinals?
Yes, if Ruston stretches its remarkable roll to 15 straight wins by sweeping a regional round doubleheader at the Ruston Sports Complex against Central of Baton Rouge.
The teams play the first of a best-of-three series Saturday at 2 p.m., then play a nightcap at 5:30 p.m. If necessary, a decisive third game will be at 2 p.m. Sunday.
Ruston (25-8) is the fifth seed in the 32-team state playoff bracket, which was cut in half by first-round results including the Bearcats’ 4-1 victory over Ponchatoula Monday and Central’s 9-3 win Tuesday over Hahnville.
Central is the 12th seed. The Wildcats (21-10) had a 12-game winning streak coming down the stretch in mid-April, but won just one of their last five games going head up against District 6-5A rivals Zachary, Live Oak and Walker. Live Oak was the No. 3 seed in the playoffs but was upset in the opening round by Ouachita. Walker is the No. 6 seed and blanked Destrehan in the first round.
The potential quarterfinal round opponents for Ruston, assuming the Bearcats advance, are No. 4 Sam Houston and 20th-seeded East Ascension.
CEDAR CREEK TENNIS: Today’s the day, if weather doesn’t get in the way, for Cedar Creek’s entries in the LHSAA Division IV tennis championships in Monroe.
Three rounds are slated today in singles competition, where James Black and Anderson Maxwell represent the Cougars. Margaret Gilmore of Cedar Creek qualified for the girls singles bracket.
Semifinals and finals are planned for Friday.