By Kyle Roberts
RUSTON, La. — Ruston High (9-6) finished with a 17-7 run-rule victory Thursday night over the Winnfield Tigers (4-5) in a final home matchup before district play begins next week.
“Any win is a good one,” Beck said. “We got up 9-1, and we needed to finish early in a run-rule situation. We got some young guys in and it didn’t go well in the top of the fifth , then reentered the starters and ended up getting the run-rule win.”
After a one-out triple by senior Peyton Martin in the bottom of the first, senior Jake Simmons would take a walk to put runners on both first and third for sophomore John Parker Moak. He would then get a triple of his own to score both both runners, giving Ruston a 2-0 lead. Junior Lander Smith would record a sacrifice bunt in the next at-bat to put Ruston up 3-0 heading into the top of the second.
A pair of singles by both juniors Hudson Wood and Jackson Lee in the bottom of the second put Martin back at the plate, who would then single on a bunt to score both runners for a 5-0 lead.
Martin then recorded another RBI with a sacrifice-fly into center, scoring Martin for a 6-0 lead.
Winnfield would get a run across in the top of the third inning, but Ruston answered with a line drive single by junior Nolan Parnell, scoring senior Carter Love after stealing second. Lee would hit into a fielder’s choice two batters later with the bases loaded to score Parnell for an 8-1 lead. Simmons then grounded out two batters later to score Wood from third base to go up 9-1.
After neither team scored in the fourth inning, Winnfield put together six runs in the top of the fifth to cut the Bearcat lead to 9-7.
Lee would then score on a wild pitch during Smith’s at-bat in the bottom of the fifth. Smith then singled on a ground ball to centerfield, scoring both Martin and Simmons for a 12-7 lead. Ruston added another run, thanks to a home plate steal by freshman Dalen Powell to go up 13-7 heading into the top of the sixth.
Sophomore Sam Hartwell would single in the bottom of the sixth to score junior Jackson Burroughs from third base, putting Ruston ahead 14-7. Simmons would get a triple two batters later to score both sophomore Michael Brisco and Hartwell.
Finally, Smith singled into left field to score Simmons and give Ruston the run-rule 17-7 win.
Senior David Griep got the start on the mound for Ruston, striking out four batters and giving up no runs nor hits. Martin led Ruston with three hits on the day, while Smith finished with 4 RBI to lead Ruston. Both Simmons and Moak added 3 RBIs, as well.
The Bearcats will host North DeSoto on Tuesday, March 11 before opening district play against Ouachita.
“We are going to enjoy the weekend off and get ready to open up district play next week,” Beck said in conclusion.
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