By Kyle Roberts
ZACHARY — Ruston High School’s baseball season came to an end in the second round of the Louisiana High School Athletic Association Division I, Non-select playoffs as Zachary Broncos (26-8) swept a best-of-three series from the Bearcats (24-14).
Zachary claimed a 6-3 victory in Thursday’s opener before finishing the series with a 4-0 shutout Friday to advance to the quarterfinal round.
Ruston closed the season after another strong campaign, while a seven-player senior class exits the program after helping the ‘Cats reach the postseason for two straight years.
“I’m really proud of our kids and the way they represented what we ask them to do all year,” Ruston coach Bryan Beck said. “We ask our kids to set our identity on serving each other and playing for our high school and being the ultimate Ruston Bearcat. That’s what they did for us this year.”
In Thursday’s opener, Ruston outhit Zachary 8-6 but could not overcome the Broncos’ aggressive baserunning and timely execution. Zachary scored twice in the first inning, added single runs in the second and third, and held off the Bearcats late.
Senior Jackson Lee paced Ruston with two hits, while junior Sam Hartwell, junior JP Moak and Lee each drove in a run. Junior Tyler Roach worked five innings on the mound for Ruston.
Zachary stole eight bases in the opener and played error-free defense.
Friday’s elimination game followed a similar pattern, as Ruston received a complete-game effort from junior Peyton Nations, who struck out seven over seven innings, but the Bearcats were unable to solve Zachary starter Cullen Howard.
The Broncos broke through with three runs in the third inning, highlighted by an RBI double from Wyatt Roberts, then added a solo home run by Madden McClure in the sixth.
Kenden Freeman led Ruston offensively with two hits.
Though the series ended in disappointment, Beck said the senior class leaves behind a foundation that will shape the program for years to come.
“This senior group is a group we’re going to remember for a really long time,” Beck said. “They won almost 50 games in the last two years and they have set the standard.”
Ruston’s seven seniors — Lander Smith, Jackson Lee, Jackson Burroughs, Nolan Parnell, Kenden Freeman, Michael Brisco and Hudson Wood — all played in Friday’s finale. Each recorded meaningful at-bats, and all seven were on the field together in the final inning one last time.
Beck called the moment special and emotional.
“Once a Bearcat, always a Bearcat,” Beck said. “I’m forever grateful to share a dugout with those guys. The impact they’ve made on myself, my family, our coaching staff and our team will not be forgotten.”
Even with the graduation losses, Beck said the expectations inside the program remain high.
“Our underclassmen know what the standard is,” Beck said. “We are looking forward to moving past the second round, and that’s what we’re going to do next year. We will be back.”
