LPJ Sports Report
Bearcats bounce back to take district series against Neville
MONROE — Ruston High (12-8) answered after a close loss Thursday to Neville with a pair of weekend wins, using explosive early innings in both contests to secure a pair of decisive district victories — first 15-5 in a run-rule win Friday and then 11-2 Saturday.
“Great bounce back to end the weekend by wining the series against Neville,” Ruston High Head Coach Bryan Beck said. “We lost a couple of very tough games in the first half of the week and to see our kids continue to compete and fight for each makes you very proud to be a Ruston Bearcat!”
Neville struck first in Friday’s opener when Dan Evans delivered an RBI single in the first inning, but Ruston answered immediately. The Bearcats erupted for five runs in the bottom half, highlighted by a two-run double from Kenden Freeman, to seize control.
Neville briefly pulled even in the second on a run-scoring double by Lane Hajj, but Ruston responded with its biggest inning of the night. The Bearcats plated seven runs in the bottom of the second to break the game open, then added insurance in the third on run-scoring plays from Tyler Osborne and Lander Smith.
Ruston’s offense piled up hits throughout the night, with JP Moak, Nolan Parnell, Sam Hartwell, Jackson Lee and Hunter Soto all producing multi-hit efforts. Freeman drove in a team-high three runs, while Lee sparked the offense on the bases.
On the mound, Jackson Lee provided steady relief with three scoreless innings after Colt Lary worked the opening frames.
Hajj led Neville offensively with a pair of RBIs, while Alex Tonore added multiple hits.
Ruston carried that momentum into Saturday and wasted little time taking command. The Bearcats capitalized on early opportunities in the first inning, taking advantage of an error and stringing together productive at-bats from Freeman, Jackson Burroughs and Dillon Williams to build a sizable lead.
Ruston extended its advantage in the second on an RBI single from Nolan Parnell and continued to add on in the third behind run-scoring efforts from Lander Smith and JP Moak.
Jackson Lee again paced the lineup, collecting three hits at the top of the order, while Parnell and Moak each drove in two runs. Ruston also showed patience at the plate, drawing multiple walks to keep pressure on Neville’s pitching staff.
Peyton Nations delivered a strong start, working deep into the game and limiting Neville’s offense, while Sam Hartwell closed things out with a scoreless inning in relief.
Evans, Tonore and Hajj each recorded hits for Neville, which showed aggressiveness on the bases but was unable to overcome Ruston’s early deficits.
Ruston returns to action tonight on the road against Loyola Prep in Shreveport.
Yates, Cedar Creek Edge Jena in Pitchers’ Duel
RUSTON — In a game dominated by pitching, Cedar Creek (14-2) did just enough at the plate to slip past Jena for a narrow 3-2 victory Saturday.
Both teams were sharp on the mound, keeping scoring chances limited through the early innings. Jena broke through first in the fourth inning when Quinton Otwell delivered a run-scoring double to give the visitors a brief advantage.
Cedar Creek answered in the bottom half of the inning, as Kade Luker lined a single to center field to even the score.
The Cougars took control in the fifth. Ryan Coleman sparked the go-ahead rally with an RBI double, and Jax Doiron followed by drawing a bases-loaded walk to extend the lead.
That was enough support for Connor Yates, who turned in a strong outing on the mound. The right-hander worked six innings, allowing five hits and two runs while keeping Jena from stringing together big innings. Doiron closed the door in the final frame to secure the save.
Cedar Creek spread out its offense, with Noah Smith, Eli Slocum, Luker, Coleman, Carter Nichols and Doiron each collecting a hit. Luker and Coleman each drove in a run, while the Cougars also showed patience at the plate and aggressiveness on the bases throughout the game.
Jena threatened late but could not overcome the deficit. Otwell and Jonathan Willis each drove in a run, and Carson Willis led the team with a pair of hits.
Aggies Break It Open Early, Roll Past Quitman
CHOUDRANT — Choudrant (9-10) erupted for a big second inning and never looked back, cruising to a lopsided 13-2 win over Quitman on Friday.
The Aggies struck first in the opening inning on a run-scoring fielder’s choice from Cy Spatafora, but Quitman answered in the bottom half when Hudson Pullig drove in a run to even the score.
Choudrant quickly seized control in the second. The Aggies pushed across six runs in the inning, capitalizing on timely hitting and patience at the plate. Cam Bagwell delivered the biggest blow of the frame, driving in three runs to break the game open.
The Aggies continued to build their lead in the third, getting run-scoring contributions from Braden Bagwell, Cash Camp and Spatafora to extend the advantage.
Camp handled the rest on the mound, turning in a strong start. The right-hander worked six innings, allowing four hits and two runs while striking out seven. Bagwell added a scoreless inning in relief to close out the game.
Spatafora and Josh Sellers led the Aggies offensively with multi-hit performances at the top of the lineup, while Spatafora and Bagwell each drove in three runs. Choudrant also showed discipline at the plate, drawing multiple walks to keep pressure on Quitman’s pitching staff.
Pullig drove in a run for Quitman, and Kace West led the Wolverines with three hits, but the visitors were unable to keep pace after the Aggies’ big inning.
Choudrant returns to action Tuesday against Simsboro.
Simsboro (14-5) will be back in action tonight against Downsville.
