By Kyle Roberts
CHOUDRANT, La. — Ruston High ended the weekend with a four-game winning streak in tact in softball after sweeping the weekend at the Choudrant Tournament on Friday and Saturday, while Choudrant would pick up its first two wins of the season on Thursday and Friday.
The Lady Bearcats (5-4) started the weekend with a 13-3 win over Calvin Friday thanks in large part to senior Akeirah Jones getting four hits and four RBI, which included a home run, two triples and a double. Sophomore Aubrey Stoehr also finished the game with four hits at the plate, including a double, while sophomore Skylar Bowers and freshman Ashleyn Dixon both got doubles at the plate, as well.
Ruston then won 9-4 over Choudrant thanks to another home run and a double by Jones. Stoehr and Dixon both doubled, as well, as Dixon drove in four runs in the win. Ruston then run-ruled Summerfield 17-4 after the top of the fourth. This time, it was Stoehr with a pair of solo homeruns, while Ainsley Simpson got an inside-the-park-homer and a double. Senior Sage Tolar would get a double and score a run, as well.
“I think this weekend served as a good boost for us,” Ruston High Head Coach Lauren Garvie said. “We came into season very, very young and I’m blessed with true athletes but when that’s the case they are multi sports athletes so you really get to know each other those first few weeks of season. I don’t think we’ve played the same lineup two games in a row yet. This weekend allowed us to do that and to work out some things. The girls hit well, especially Akierah and our freshman Ashlyn Dixon. Ashlyn has stepped up in huge ways. We get to a spot often times with runners on, needing some RBIs, two outs and two strikes on her but she never quits and often times comes up with at least base hit to produce.
“That’s what this team is looking for – consistent production. We are saying service is leadership this year and that means we keep pushing and working hard for everyone around us. This weekend helped us do that and build a little community in the dugout.”
For Choudrant (2-9), the Lady Aggies got an 8-5 win over Byrd Thursday, thanks to a multi-RBI games from catcher Emery Boggs and right fielder Bailey McGuire. Choudrant then run-ruled Calvin 13-2 on Friday after the top of the fifth inning. Boggs and first baseman Katelynn Winstead both finished with multiple RBI’s, as Boggs ended the game with two doubles. Centerfielder Kelsee Guillotte added a triple, too, for the Lady Aggies in the win.
“I thought we played very well — we’re a very young team, and we have improved so much since our first game of the year,” Choudrant Head Coach Stacey Tassin said. “I’m very pleased with our performance. We’ve been struggling to hit a little bit, and we’ve made some errors in the field, and all that was improved. I see us getting better every game we play. It’s the little things we’re starting to do right that make a big difference in the game.”
Ruston will host OCS at home tonight at 5:30 p.m., while Choudrant will host Calvin again at 5:30 p.m., as well.
