By Malcolm Butler
The inaugural year of the Chad Yates era at Cedar Creek came to a close Thursday as the Cougars fell 11-3 to No. 1 seed Opelousas Catholic in the Select School Division IV playoffs.
Cedar Creek finished the season 16-19 and earned its first playoff berth on the diamond since 2019.
“We made big strides as far as expectations and the standards that we wanted to set within the program,” said head coach Chad Yates. “I felt like our seniors got on board and set the example and kept getting better each week. To get to this point was nothing that wasn’t anticipated — we had that expectation — but the big picture moving forward our young guys were able to experience the playoffs and what playing good baseball teams is like. And what you have to do to compete each and every day.”
Opelousas Catholic used a six-run fourth inning to blow open a close game and then cruise to the win.
After falling behind 2-0 after the first inning, the Cougars tied the game in the top of the second inning, plating two runs. Trent Franklin singled with one out and then Max Brister was hit by a pitch. Noah Durrett followed with a two-run triple to right field, plating both Franklin and Brister to knot the score at 2-2.
“They scouted us and had their gameplan,” said Yates. “The pitcher made a mistake and elevated a fastball that Noah capitalized on. He blistered the ball. He was able to get to third and tie the game and get some life back. We knew they were going to scratch. Their pitcher had a good breaking ball that kept us off balance. We continued to compete to the end.”
OC reclaimed the lead with a run in the bottom of the second inning. The score remained 3-2 until the bottom of the fourth when Opelousas Catholic plated six runs on four hits, two hit by pitches, one walk and an error to push its advantage to 9-2.
“We were wanting to start (Kade) Luker but had to scratch him due to discomfort in his lat area,” said Yates. “Not that we couldn’t pivot and make the adjustment. They were a team that had a plan and approach at the plate. It was a big yard; 400 foot to center field. Those guys were hitting it hard. We chose to play back and doing that left the blue pits in play. Hats off to them. They swung bats and pitched well. When I tell you they swung the bats, the blistered it.”
Creek scored its final run of the season in the top of the sixth inning as Ladd Thompson walked and then scored on an RBI double by Luker to left field.
Brister took the loss on the mound, allowing nine runs — seven earned — on six hits and one walk. Thompson tossed 0.2 innings, allowing two runs on two walks. Franklin worked the final 1.2 innings, allowing just one hit and one walk.
