By Kyle Roberts
NATCHITOCHES, La. (AP) — While No. 26 Ruston High saw a hard-fought road playoff game slip away Friday as No. 7 Natchitoches Central rallied for an 8-6 walk-off victory in extra innings, Lady Bearcats Head Coach Lauren Garvie said the performance showed the promise of a young roster.
“We did fight, and I’m very proud of this young team,” Garvie said.
Trailing 6-5 entering the bottom of the eighth, Natchitoches Central got the final swing it needed when Maggie Massia launched a three-run home run to center field, ending the game and handing Ruston a tough defeat.
Ruston had moved in front in the top of the inning when senior Akeriah Jones crushed her third home run of the night, a solo shot to left field that gave the Lady Bearcats a 6-5 advantage.
Jones delivered one of the top individual performances of the season, going 4-for-4 with three home runs, three RBIs and three runs scored. She homered in the third, fifth and eighth innings to power Ruston’s 15-hit attack.
“Akeirah’s performance speaks for itself, and we all wish we had another year to watch her in Bearcat red,” Garvie said.
Ruston struck first in the opening inning when freshman Mackenzie Roach connected on a solo homer to left field for a 1-0 lead.
After Jones tied the game in the third with her first homer of the night, Natchitoches Central answered in the bottom half when Sarah Beth Terrell hit a home run to center field to put the Lady Chiefs ahead 3-2.
Ruston regained the lead in the fifth inning as Jones blasted another solo homer and freshman Rylee Fobbs followed with an RBI single to make it 5-4.
Fobbs came through again in the seventh, hitting a solo homer to center field to tie the game at 5-all and help force extra innings.
Roach started in the circle for Ruston, allowing five runs on five hits over four innings while walking five. Natchitoches Central starter Ehren Guidroz worked 4 1/3 innings, allowing 10 hits and four runs while striking out seven.
Fobbs, Jaleigh Martin and freshman Z. Jones each had multiple hits for Ruston.
Garvie said the roster makeup gives reason for optimism despite the difficult ending.
“That field consisted of almost an entire underclassmen infield, most of them freshmen, with the exception of third base being a junior, two seniors and a sophomore in the outfield, along with a freshman DP who came up big in a pressure situation,” Garvie said. “That alone speaks volumes and gives a picture of what the future of this program will be.”
Garvie also praised Ruston’s senior class, particularly veteran leader Sage Tolar.
“To our seniors, we all hugged and we are so excited for their futures,” Garvie said. “The longest-running senior in this program right now is Sage Tolar, and I cannot brag enough about the growth she has gone through these past four years.”
Though the loss ended the season on a painful note, Garvie believes it also marked the beginning of something bigger.
“These girls are going to be and are great,” Garvie said. “Last night was a tough loss, but it just starts a great future.”
