JOURNAL SPORTS
Benton’s 13th-seeded Tigers pulled one of the big surprises statewide this weekend in the second round of the LHSAA baseball postseason, shocking No. 4 Dutchtown with a two-game sweep on the road in a Non-Select Division I series.
The Tigers were among four local teams advancing to the state quarterfinals to be played at home sites late this week. Benton edged Dutchtown 2-1, 3-0 to move forward and will go right back to the Baton Rouge area to face No. 5 St. Amant.
Fourth-seeded Northwood swept Byrd 3-2, 10-4 to move forward in the Select Division I bracket, and will be at home for a quarterfinal series against No. 12 Acadiana. The visiting Wreckin’ Rams surprised No. 5 Captain Shreve with a 5-3 opening win, then the Gators were 11-3 victors to square the series. Acadiana got a 2-0 triumph Saturday in the decisive Game 3.
Northwood will be the only local team hosting a quarterfinal series.
In Select Division III, No. 6 Calvary Baptist overcame a Game 1 loss and swept a Friday doubleheader at home over No. 11 Episcopal. After an opening 10-2 loss, the Cavaliers won 6-0, 9-2 Saturday to advance to a series at third-seeded University High in Baton Rouge.
Evangel closed out its Select Division II series Thursday after the No. 13 Eagles shocked fourth-seeded Buckeye on its homefield by a combined 11-2. The Eagles open their quarterfinal series Friday at 6 in Lafayette against No. 5 St. Thomas More.
Seasons ended for Parkway and Loyola.
The Panthers, No. 11 in Non-Select Division I, were swept 8-4, 10-3 at No. 6 Live Oak.
The Flyers, seeded 15th in Select Division III, fell 8-1, 9-1 at No. 2 Parkview Baptist.