By Kyle Roberts
The Ruston High Lady Bearcats (17-12) will end the regular season of play tonight (weather pending) against Glenbrook after splitting a pair of district games last week.
“I am slightly nervous for the weather predictions for the week and what all will do to the schedule but I’m excited for the girls to get the opportunity to be heading to playoffs,” Ruston High Lady Bearcat head coach Lauren Garvie said. “I know they’ve been working for this and have wanted it since our first team meeting last year. These seniors have experienced quite a bit of ups and downs during their four years at Ruston softball so for me to get to see them achieve the goal of playoffs again is amazing”
As of Monday, Ruston’s overall power ranking has the Lady Bearcats safely above the cutoff line to make the playoffs in the just the second season for head coach Lauren Garvie.
Tuesday, April 2: Ruston 9, Ouachita 6
After trailing 1-0 in the bottom of the first, Ruston would score five unanswered runs in the top of the third and fourth innings. The Lady Bearcats would add four more runs in the top of the seventh to seal the win. Senior Cala Wilson started in the circle and struck out three batters in four innings pitched before sophomore Sage Tolar came in to finish the final three innings.
Wilson would be among four batters who would collect multiple hits, including Tolar, senior Allie Richardson and junior Morgan Foster. Wilson would bat three batters in on the night, while Richardson stole two bases.
Thursday, April 4: West Monroe 10, Ruston 7
West Monroe would get out to a 7-0 lead by the top of the second inning over Ruston before the Lady Bearcats began a rally. It would not be enough, however, as the Lady Rebels would hang on the for the win. Wilson pitched all seven innings and struck out eight batters and would get a solo home run in the bottom of the fourth. Senior Jojo Fernandes led the Lady Bearcats with three hits.
First pitch between Ruston and Glenbrook is set for 6 p.m. tonight and will be Ruston’s celebration of Senior Night.
The Lady Bearcats will officially know their postseason seeding and opponent on Wednesday, April 10, and will make their first trip to the postseason since 2021.
