By Christy Suggs

Red River Took on Pine High School in the first-round playoff best-of-three series, Friday, April 21. Despite seeing its five-run lead whittled down by the end, Red River Bulldogs Varsity still held off Pine for a 4-3 victory in game 1. Pine scored three runs in the failed comeback on a singleton in the seventh inning. The Bulldogs got on the board in the first inning when Chris Carper doubled on a 2-2 count, scoring one run. The next round of scoring came when the Bulldogs put up four runs in the third inning. The offensive firepower was led by Carper, Logan Smith, Kenneth Lazarus, and Eli Bamburg, all knocking in runs in the inning. Tyler Hughes was the winning pitcher. The right-hander allowed two hits and three runs over seven innings, striking out six and walking one.

Game 2 started after an hour’s break for both teams. The Bulldogs took the field as the ‘visiting team” and that’s what they looked like. It was a whole different team and not in a good way. John Dickey took the mound and struggled surrendering 6 runs on three hits over one inning, walking zero. Kenneth Lazarus took the mound and went four and third innings allowing five runs on three hits and striking out only one. Kade Martinez finished out as the last pitcher.  The Bulldogs scattered eight hits in the game but left many on base.  Logan Smith and Lazarus each collected multiple hits and led with 2 hits each. The Final was Pine 11 RR 2. This caused Game 3 to be played Saturday morning.

As the sun shone brightly Saturday after drizzly Friday night games, the Bulldogs face the Raiders for the last of the 3 game series. Red River Bulldogs Varsity stayed in it until the end, but Pine pulled away late in a 6-3 victory on Saturday. The game was tied at three with Pine batting in the top of the sixth when a Pine player singled on a 1-2 count, scoring one run.  Dawgs got things started in the second inning when Eli Murphy singled on a 2-2 count, scoring two runs. In the bottom of the fifth inning, the Bulldogs tied things up at three. An error scored one run for the Dawgs. Pine scored three runs in the fourth inning. Pine’s big inning was driven by a single by Brody T and a fielder’s choice by Brady P. Ethan Williamson took the loss for the RR. The righty lasted six and a third innings, allowing six hits and six runs while striking out two and walking one. John Dickey, Tyler Hughes, Murphy, and Logan Smith each collected one hit to lead Red River Bulldogs Varsity. The series ended with Pine 2 games and Red River 1. Pine moved on to play Sterlington in Round 2 at Sterlington. Bulldogs finish the season with a record of 18-14

As the season draws to a close, the Bulldogs would like to thank all the sponsors, fans, and families that supported them all season. After a brief break, the Bulldogs will begin Summer league play and start working out the problems for season 2023-24.

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