BASEBALL

It only took two games for Minden to advance to the next round of the LHSAA Division II (Non-Select) state playoffs with wins over the Cecilia Dawgs in a best of three series.

(Thursday) Minden 3, Cecilia Dawgs 2

In Thursday’s opener, Jaxon Smith was dominant on the mound, ringing up 11 strikeouts and giving up just two hits over seven innings to claim the win.

Cecilia broke open a scoreless contest in the top of the fifth inning when Jacob Briscoe produced a sacrifice fly, and Ellis Stewart homered. Minden rallied for the win in the bottom the sixth, scoring three runs on a Smith bases loaded walk and a Dawgs error that plated two.

Blake Gautreaux took the loss for Dawgs, going six innings, giving up three runs (one earned) on four hits, striking out two and walking three.

Hudson Brown went two-for-two to lead Minden hitters. Hadin Hohle and Stewart each had one hit for Dawgs.

(Friday) Minden 12, Cecilia 1

Minden ended any suspense early in Friday’s clincher, scoring in the top of the first inning on a Hudson Brown RBI walk, a Jaxon Smith single and Keegan Pope’s sac fly.

Three more Tiders runs crossed in the third when Landyn Huddleston drew a walk to scoring one and Bryson Ranger singled in two more.

Ranger earned the win for Minden, giving up just two and one run over five innings, striking out two and walking one. Colton Faulk took the loss for the Dawgs.

Smith and Pope each collected two hits in the win and Pope had three runs batted in. Brown had three walks in the game as the Tide picked up 11 free passes.

SOFTBALL

Rayne 6, Minden 3

Minden managed to out hit Rayne Thursday but it wasn’t enough as the Lady Wolves prevailed 6-3 over the Lady Tiders to advance in a first round Division II (Non-Select) LHSAA playoff game.

Rayne struck first, scoring a pair of runs on a Lady Tiders error, but the Lady Tiders tied the game at 3-3 when Lindsay Ryan connected on an RBI double.

Rayne pulled away in the top of the sixth on a sacrifice fly, pushing the lead to 5-3.

Riley Lagrange earned the win for Rayne while Ryan took the loss for the Lady Tiders. Ryan went seven innings giving up four hits, no earned runs and recording nine strikeouts.

Lizzie Balkom led Minden with three hits and Ryan had two hits and two RBI. Leigha Kennon Gilbert also collected two hits for the Lady Tiders.

Abbey Cart, Hayden Cary, Kamryn Turner, and Saylr Mouton had the hits for Rayne.

(Stats and info provided by GameChanger Media.)