JOURNAL SPORTS

Parkway scored early and often in rolling to a 9-3 District 1-5A win at Natchitoches Central Thursday and is now in sole possession of first place in the district.

The Panthers, now 4-0 in 1-5A, scored eight of their nine runs in the first three innings to run away. Parkway’s win, coupled with Benton handing Captain Shreve (3-1) its first district loss and Airline (3-1) rallying past Haughton, gives the Panthers a one-game cushion.

Shawn Driggers went the distance on the mound allowing eight hits and three runs, while he walked one and stuck out eight.

Barrett Newman highlighted a four-run first inning with a two-run single and finished the game 3-for-3 with three RBI. Trent Lape walked in the first run of the game and later scored Parkway’s fourth run with a steal of home.

Zachary Clute led off the second inning with a home run and was 2-for-4 on the night. Driggers also had two hits for Parkway, now 15-3 overall.

Natchitoches Central scored all of its runs in the third inning on a Brock Laird three-run home run. The Chiefs are now 15-4, but just 1-3 in district.

BENTON 9, CAPTAIN SHREVE 3: The Tigers scored three runs with two outs in the second inning to break a 2-2 tie and handed the Gators their first loss in District 1-5A. Sawyer Simmons got the win working 5 2/3 innings, allowing two hits, one earned run, as he walked two and struck out nine.

Cale Latimer had the big hit for Benton (9-12, 2-2) in the second inning with a two-run single that gave the hosts a 5-2 lead.

Bryson Pierce was 2-for-3, Latimer 2-for-4 and three RBI and Kenner Lauterbach 2-for-3 with two RBI for Benton.

Captain Shreve (12-7, 3-1) scored its first inning runs on a wild pitch and error for a 2-0 lead. Christopher Peyton scored Andrew Sharp with a sacrifice fly in the third inning. 

AIRLINE 6, HAUGHTON 5: At Airline, the Vikings rallied with two outs in the seventh inning to score three runs to beat the Bucs. Noah Littleton’s two-run double to right field scored the game’s tying and winning runs —  courtesy runner Austin Smith with the tying run and Braden Adams with the game-winner.

Collin Wiggins started the rally by reaching first when he was hit by a pitch. Mason Lusk followed with a single and Adams scored Wiggins with a single to pull Airline (9-10, 3-1) within 5-4. Littleton then came through with the game-winner.

Carter White got the complete-game win allowing six hits, five runs, two earned, as he walked two and struck out four.

Haughton (14-6, 1-3) scored three runs in the third inning to take a 4-3 lead and added a run in the sixth for a 5-3 advantage entering the final frame.  Christian Turner was 2-for-4 with a double for the Bucs.

BYRD 12, SOUTHWOOD 4: At Byrd, the Yellow Jackets got the win at home as Lake Lambert was 4-for-4 and Kevin Robinson 2-for-4 with an inside the park home run. Dawson Meeks picked up the win for Byrd (14-8, 2-2).

CALVARY 12, LOYOLA 1: At Loyola’s Cicero Field, the Cavaliers took game one of the District 1-2A three-game series as Aubrey Hermes was 3-for-4 with two doubles and three RBI. Jackson Tedder added a pair of hits in three at bats and drove in four runs for Calvary (9-9, 1-0). Judson Funderburk got the win working three innings, allowing one hit and striking out three. Loyola leadoff hitter Konnor O’Neal was 2-for-2 and drove in the only run for the Flyers, now 4-15, 3-4.