Ouachita 8, Ruston 3 (Tuesday)
Ruston High could not overcome a big second inning by Ouachita Parish as the Bearcats dropped an 8-3 decision to the Lions on Tuesday at Ouachita Parish High School.
Ruston grabbed the early lead in the top of the first when Sage Tolar drew a bases-loaded walk to bring home the game’s first run.
Ouachita Parish quickly swung momentum in the bottom of the second, erupting for six runs to take control. The Lions did most of their damage with one swing as Taylor Madison blasted a grand slam to left field, turning a one-run deficit into a 6-1 advantage.
The Bearcats trimmed the deficit with two runs later in the contest, but the early hole proved too much to overcome.
Jones paced Ruston offensively with two RBIs, finishing 1-for-4 at the plate. Rylee Fobbs, Tolar, Akeriah Jones and Mackenzie Roach each added a hit for the Bearcats.
Ruston also showed patience at the plate, drawing six walks. Tolar and Aubrey Stoehr led the way with two walks apiece.
Skylar Bowers took the loss for Ruston after allowing six runs, five earned, on two hits in 1 2/3 innings of work. Roach provided a strong effort in relief, tossing 4 1/3 innings while allowing two unearned runs on three hits. She struck out six and walked one.
Madison earned the win for Ouachita Parish after allowing three runs on one hit over three innings, striking out three and issuing six walks.
At the plate, Madison finished 1-for-4 with four RBIs to lead the Lions. Aja Williams, Natalie Stokes, Journee Williams and Alayjha Matthews each added a hit for Ouachita Parish, which also turned a double play.
Ruston will return to action Thursday when it travels to face West Monroe.
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Oak Grove 7, Cedar Creek 3 (Tuesday)
Cedar Creek suffered a heartbreaking 7-3 extra-inning loss to Oak Grove on Tuesday, as the Lady Tigers walked it off with a grand slam in the bottom of the ninth at Oak Grove High School.
The game was tied 3-3 entering the final frame when Ellie Ray delivered the decisive blow, launching a grand slam to center field to end the contest.
Cedar Creek jumped out to an early lead in the top of the first inning. Hydi Boyd drove in the Lady Cougars’ first run with an RBI single, and an Oak Grove error allowed two more runs to score for a 3-0 advantage.
Oak Grove chipped away and eventually evened the score in the bottom of the fifth when Caroline Bradley homered to center field to make it 3-3.
The score remained deadlocked until the ninth, when Ray’s game-winning blast sealed the victory for the Lady Tigers.
Boyd led Cedar Creek with one RBI, finishing 1-for-4 at the plate. Presley Wall paced the Lady Cougars offensively with three hits in four at-bats from the leadoff spot, while Ava Lantrip added two hits and took the loss in relief.
Lantrip pitched 3 1/3 innings, allowing four runs, three earned, on three hits while striking out four and walking two. Kendall Ramsey started in the circle for Cedar Creek and worked 4 2/3 innings, surrendering three runs on six hits with two strikeouts and no walks.
Kinley Cox earned the complete-game win for Oak Grove, allowing three runs, one earned, on eight hits over nine innings. She struck out 11 and walked two.
Ray finished 2-for-5 with four RBIs to lead Oak Grove, while Kensington Waters and Ella Moody also recorded two hits apiece. The Lady Tigers also turned two double plays.
Cedar Creek returns to action Tuesday against Ouachita Parish.
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Lakeside 5, Choudrant 2 (Tuesday)
Choudrant was unable to keep pace with Lakeside on Tuesday, falling 5-2 to the Warriors.
Lakeside struck first in the opening inning when Raleah Harris belted a solo inside-the-park home run for a 1-0 lead.
The Warriors added to their advantage in the second, pushing across two more runs on RBI doubles from Ella Wood and Rhea Waller to make it 3-0.
Lakeside stretched the lead to 5-0 in the third inning as Meredith Robinson and Waller each drew RBI walks.
Choudrant managed two runs but could not rally any closer.
Katelynn Winstead and Kennedi Otwell each drove in a run for the Lady Aggies. Winstead, Kelsee Guillotte, Briley McGuire and Otwell accounted for Choudrant’s four hits.
Otwell took the loss in the circle, allowing five runs on five hits over three innings while striking out one and walking four.
Lakeside pitcher Ella Wood earned the complete-game win, scattering four hits and allowing two runs, one earned, over seven innings. She struck out eight and walked one.
Waller led the Warriors with two RBIs from the No. 9 spot in the lineup, finishing 1-for-2. Emily Jones, Harris and Wood each collected two hits for Lakeside, while Jones also stole three bases. Teal Austin drew two walks as the Warriors finished with five free passes.
Choudrant played clean defense without committing an error and turned one double play. Emery Boggs led the way defensively with eight chances.
The Lady Aggies return to action Thursday at West Ouachita.
