By Christy Suggs

The season opened for the RRHS Baseball team on February 20th at Choudrant. The Bulldogs fell behind early and couldn’t come back in a 13-2 loss.  John Dickey started the game, allowed 5 hits and 10 runs over two and a third innings, striking out 3.  Ethan  Williamson threw one and two-thirds innings. 

Next up the Dawgs took on Zwolle. This resulted in a no-hitter with RRHS winning 5-0.  Tyler Hughes was the pitcher and lasted seven innings, allowing zero hits and zero runs while striking out 17 and walking one. Kenneth Lazarus when 3 for 4 at the plate to lead the Bulldogs in hits.

Friday, February 24th Bolton met up with the Bulldogs at home. This was a nail bitter. The Dawgs made a valiant effort to come back from down four runs in the seventh inning. But they fell short with an 8-9 loss. The four runs came from a walk by Jayden Stewart, a single by Bryce Hunt, a walk by Logan Smith, and a walk by Tyler Hughes.  Lazarus led the Dawgs with four stolen bases, as they ran wild on the base paths with ten stolen bases.

March brought the Bulldogs to the Trey Altick Memorial Louisiana Prep Classic. 53 teams from all over the state played throughout Ouachita Parish.  The Bulldogs went up against River Oaks in their first game. Pitchers Tyler Hughes and Dicky combined in the no-hitter to produce a victory of 10-0.  Chris Carper drove in a run for the first inning off his triple.  Hughes surrendered zero runs on zero hits over 3 innings, striking out 7.  Dickey recorded the last 6 outs to earn the save.

Saturday, day 3 of the Altick had RRHS facing Jena Giants. The Dawgs found back after falling down by five runs in the third inning.  But the comeback fell just short with a 6-4 defeat.  The Dawgs couldn’t keep up with Jena early in the game, allowing them to take the lead by scoring three runs on an error.  Lazarus went 2-for-4 at the plate to lead in hits.

When asked about the first few weeks of the season, Coach Reed said “We are off to a rocky 2-3 start.  Losses to defending State Champ Choudrant and 3A Bolton and Jena.  Only 24 teams make the playoffs this year and we are currently at #25.  There are 6 weeks of the season and 24 games remaining so a lot will change.  Nevertheless, we need to approach it as if the playoff pairing is tomorrow.  Bright spots are Kenneth Lazarus is Batting .429 and Tyler Hughes is 2-0 on the mound with 29 strikeouts and a .000 ERA.”

This week the Bulldogs travel to Haynesville on Tuesday and are back home Wednesday against Haughton. This weekend brings the Annual Earl Martin Invitational with teams coming to play on our turf.  Come out and support the Bulldogs.

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