by Malcolm Butler
The Cedar Creek Cougars recorded their first win of the season on the diamond, defeating Mangham 5-4 Saturday during the Robe Classic in Crowley Friday and Saturday.
Creek dropped a pair of close games against Lake Charles College Prep (L, 8-7) and Sacred Heart (L, 4-2) to move to 1-3 on the young season.
“We didn’t get the results we wanted as far and wins and losses but we got better overall,” said head coach Trey Long. “We could have gone 3-0 instead of 1-2, but we competed every game and gave ourselves the opportunity to win. We had the lead in all three games but were only able to hold on and finish one of those. Now we have to take another step and learn how to finish games when we have the lead.”
Ladd Thompson (2-3, run) and JP Moak (2-4, 2 runs, 2 RBI) led the Cougars at the plate in the win while Max Brister (1-4, RBI) and Noah Durrett (1-3, run) also recorded hits.
Blake Wade picked up the win on the mound, allowing three runs on eight hits with five strikeouts in 5.1 innings while Brister got the save, tossing the final 1.2 innings in relief.
In Creek’s 8-7 loss to Lake Charles College Prep, Durrett (1-4, run, RBI), Moak (1-2, 2 runs), Thompson (1-3, run, RBI), Jordan Vail (1-4, RBI), Wade (1-3, run, 2 RBI), Gavin Hall (1-4, RBI) and Brister (1-1, 2 runs) led Creek offensively.
Vail tossed 4.0 innings, allowing three runs on six hits with six strikeouts. Thompson worked in relief, allowing four runs on three hits and one walk in 1.1 innings of action. Moak tossed the final 1.2 innings, allowing one run on no hits and one walk with four strikeouts.
In the 4-2 loss to Sacred Heart, Thompson (1-3, run) and Wade (1-2, RBI) had the only two hits while Vail recorded an RBI.
Mock (5.0 IP, 4 runs, 4 hits, 4 walks, 6 strikeouts) and Hall (1.0 IP, 2 hits) saw the action on the mound.
Creek will host Winnfield Tuesday at 6 p.m. (JV at 4:30 p.m.) and will be one of the host sites for the Trey Altick Tournament Thursday through Saturday. The Cougars will play Newman Thursday at 7 p.m., Stanley Friday at 7 p.m. and Weston Saturday at 5:30 p.m.
