LPJ Sports Report
Cedar Creek Erupts for 22-Run First, Blanks Lincoln Prep
Cedar Creek put the game away before Lincoln Prep could settle in, erupting for 22 runs in the first inning en route to a 22-1 victory on Saturday.
The Cougars sent a parade of hitters to the plate in a historic opening frame, capitalizing on patience and timely hitting. Brett Bell got things started with an RBI single, and Cedar Creek never let up. Ryan Coleman, Noah Smith, Jax Doiron and Drew Wade each drew bases-loaded walks to force in runs, while Eli Slocum delivered a two-run single to highlight the early surge.
Cedar Creek continued to pile on as Connor Yates was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, an error brought home another run, and Carter Nichols added an RBI walk. Coleman, Smith and Wade each contributed additional RBIs later in the inning, while Doiron drove in two with a groundout. Cason Floyd capped the frame with a two-run single as the Cougars built an insurmountable lead.
Yates earned the win on the mound, striking out three in a perfect inning of work. Doiron added relief for Cedar Creek as the Cougars controlled the game from start to finish.
Slocum and Coleman each recorded two hits to lead the offense. Bell, Smith, Coleman and Doiron drove in three runs apiece in a balanced attack. Cedar Creek also showed strong plate discipline, drawing 11 walks, with Smith and Kade Luker leading the way with three each.
The Cougars will look to carry the momentum into Monday’s matchup against Ouachita Parish.
Grand Slam Lifts ASH Past Ruston 8-4
A five-run second inning, highlighted by a grand slam from Bryson Phoenix, proved to be the difference as Ruston fell to ASH 8-4 on Friday.
ASH struck first in the opening inning on an RBI single by Caden Extine, but Ruston answered in the second to briefly take control. JP Moak delivered an RBI single and two more runs scored on an error, giving the Bearcats a 3-1 lead.
That advantage didn’t last long. ASH flipped the game in the bottom of the second, erupting for five runs on three hits. Phoenix provided the decisive blow with a grand slam to left field, pushing the Trojans in front 6-3.
ASH added to its lead in the third when Cooper Robinson singled home a run to make it 7-3. Ruston was unable to fully recover despite steady relief work from Peyton Nations, who allowed just one run over four innings while striking out four without issuing a walk.
Max Pyles took the loss for Ruston, surrendering seven runs on six hits over two innings. ASH starter Jack Lee earned the win, striking out nine while allowing four runs (two earned) across five innings.
Ruston finished with four hits, with Moak, Sam Hartwell, Hudson Wood and Jackson Lee each recording one. Moak and Lander Smith drove in runs for the Bearcats.
ASH collected 10 hits on the night, led by Phoenix, who went 2-for-3 with four RBIs. Phoenix, Jaxon Ross and Robinson each had two hits for the Trojans.
Ruston returns to action tonight at home against St. Frederick’s.
Family Community Christian Hands Aggies 11-1 Road Loss
Family Community Christian broke open the game early and rolled past the Aggies 11-1 on Friday at Family Community Christian School.
The Aggies grabbed a brief lead in the top of the first when Cam Bagwell doubled and drove in a run. But Family Community Christian answered immediately in the bottom half of the inning, scoring three times to take control. Blayne Lord doubled to center, Colton Lindsey added an RBI single down the left-field line and Chase McMurray followed with a run-scoring double to make it 3-1.
Family Community Christian added four more runs in the second inning and never looked back. Eli Cottingham, Lord and McMurray each delivered RBI singles during the rally as the Warriors stretched the lead to 7-1.
Cash Camp started on the mound for the Aggies and worked two innings, allowing eight hits and seven runs, four of them earned, while striking out two and walking one. Cottingham earned the win for Family Community Christian after holding the Aggies to one run on four hits over five innings. He struck out seven and walked one.
Bagwell finished 1 for 3 and drove in the Aggies’ lone run. Cy Spatafora, Braden Bagwell and Gavin Hall also had hits.
Family Community Christian piled up 15 hits. Lord led the way from the middle of the order, going 3 for 4 with four RBIs. McMurray, Cottingham, Lindsey, Gavin Griffing and Kaden Burrier each had multiple hits. The Warriors also played a clean defensive game without an error, with Eli Rials recording six plays in the field.
The Aggies return to action Tuesday against Downsville.
Simsboro Rides Fast Start, Plate Discipline to 15-4 Win Over Union Parish
Simsboro used an early surge and relentless pressure on the bases to pull away for a 15-4 win over Union Parish on Friday.
The Tigers struck quickly in the first inning, taking advantage of an error before Trevor Cook delivered a two-run single to make it 3-0. Simsboro added to the lead in the second with a hit-by-pitch and an RBI double from Michael Watts.
After building a steady advantage, Simsboro broke the game open in the sixth with a six-run inning. Bryson Yarborough was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, Maximus Lee drew an RBI walk, and Chris Stevens and Chris Harrell each delivered two-run doubles to stretch the lead out of reach.
Lee earned the win on the mound, allowing one hit and one run over 2⅓ innings while striking out three. David Cedotal provided solid relief, working 3⅔ innings and allowing three runs, two earned. Union Parish starter Khaidyn Johnson took the loss after allowing nine runs, six earned, over 4⅓ innings.
Watts led the Tigers offensively with four RBIs, while Harrell and Cook each collected two hits. Simsboro showed strong discipline at the plate, drawing 13 walks, with Lee, Stevens and Cedotal each earning three free passes.
The Tigers also created havoc on the bases, stealing 11 bases in the game, with Lee and Yarborough each swiping multiple bags.
Union Parish was led by Jonte Lee, who went 2-for-3. The hosts also drew six walks, with Johnson and Javion Island collecting two apiece. Island added a pair of stolen bases, and Union Parish turned one double play.
Simsboro returns to action Tuesday against Haynesville.
