LPJ Sports Report
Simsboro falls to Quitman in one-run contest
QUITMAN — In a tightly contested pitchers’ duel, Simsboro came up just short Tuesday night, falling 3-2 to Quitman despite a strong outing on the mound from Noah Thomas.
Thomas delivered one of his most efficient performances of the season, working six innings while allowing just four hits and three runs — only two earned — while striking out seven and walking one. The right-hander kept Simsboro within striking distance throughout, but Quitman managed to capitalize on a handful of key moments.
Quitman struck first in the second inning when Asher Rhodes delivered an RBI single to take a 1-0 lead.
Simsboro answered in the top of the third, taking advantage of a Quitman miscue. A defensive error allowed two runs to score, giving the Tigers a 2-1 advantage despite managing just one hit through the first three innings.
The lead didn’t last long. Quitman responded in the bottom half of the third with an RBI groundout from Maddox Duck to even the score at 2-2. An inning later, Cail King provided what proved to be the difference, driving in a run on a groundout to give Quitman a 3-2 lead.
From there, both pitching staffs took control. Quitman’s Hudson Pullig went the distance, holding Simsboro to four hits and two unearned runs over seven innings while striking out four and walking two.
Simsboro scattered four hits on the night, with Maximus Lee, Chris Harrell, Chris Stevens, and Thomas each recording one. The Tigers were clean defensively, committing no errors, and Stevens led the way with eight chances in the field.
Quitman also finished with four hits, getting one apiece from Rhodes, Zach Smudricks, Kace West, and Tucker Barnett. Aggressive base running played a key role, as Quitman swiped five bases to help generate offense in a game where runs were hard to come by.
Simsboro will look to bounce back when it travels to Southwood on Monday.
Weston pulls away early, hands Choudrant 10-0 road loss
WESTON — Choudrant ran into an early surge from Weston on Tuesday and couldn’t recover, falling 10-0 to the Wolves in a district matchup.
Weston broke the game open in the bottom of the second inning, capitalizing on a mix of timely hitting and Aggie miscues. Liam Weaver delivered an RBI single to center, and two Choudrant errors along with a walk by Drew Browning helped plate multiple runs as Weston grabbed control early.
The Wolves added to their lead in the third inning behind a Dawson Griffin single and another Aggie error, extending the advantage and putting Choudrant in a difficult position the rest of the night.
Weaver set the tone on the mound for Weston, tossing five shutout innings while allowing just three hits. The left-hander struck out three and walked one in an efficient outing.
Cash Camp took the loss for Choudrant, striking out five over three innings but allowing seven runs — only two earned — as defensive miscues proved costly.
Offensively, the Aggies managed three hits, with Rhett James, Cam Bagwell, and Josh Sellers each collecting one.
Weston finished with a balanced attack, as Colton Blundell, Browning, Weaver, Griffin, and Easton Borders each recorded a hit. Browning and Griffin led the way with two RBIs apiece, while the Wolves also showed patience at the plate, drawing six walks.
Defensively, Weston played a clean game without an error, with Jase Borders leading the team in chances.
Choudrant will look to bounce back Friday when it travels to Caldwell Parish.
Cedar Creek Arms Combine for Shutout in 4-0 Win Over St. Mary
RUSTON — Cedar Creek leaned on dominant pitching and timely hitting Tuesday night, shutting out St. Mary 4-0 behind a combined effort from Connor Yates and Brett Bell.
Yates set the tone with a strong start, working six scoreless innings while allowing just two hits. The right-hander struck out seven and walked two, keeping St. Mary off balance throughout his outing. Bell came on in relief and closed the door, recording the final out to secure the shutout.
The Cougars broke through in the top of the sixth inning after a scoreless battle early. Kade Luker delivered the key hit, singling to bring home the game’s first run. Cedar Creek added to its lead later in the inning to create separation.
Offensively, Luker led the way from the top of the lineup, going 2-for-4 to pace Cedar Creek’s attack. The Cougars played a clean game defensively, committing no errors, with Bell leading the team with eight chances in the field.
St. Mary managed just two hits in the contest, with Johnson and Nelson accounting for both.
With the win, Cedar Creek continues to build momentum and will look to carry it into Saturday’s road matchup at Captain Shreve.
