The Red River baseball team was certainly tested during its most difficult stretch of the season this past week, but the Bulldogs are still in play for a top-five seed in the Division III Non-Select playoffs.

Red River has lost three of its last four games, dropping a 7-0 decision to Natchitoches Central (No. 1 team in Division I Non-Select), topping Cedar Creek 8-4, falling to Many 9-6 and coming up short against Haughton, 12-8.

The good news is that the Bulldogs’ bats came alive on an offense that can sometimes go silent.

But opponents scored an unusually high number of runs against a pitching staff that’s held 14 teams to two runs or fewer.

Red River (16-7) has three more scheduled games remaining – at Bell City on April 12 and a doubleheader at Hackberry on April 13.

The Bulldogs postponed a District 3-2A contest against Mansfield that could be made up if desired.

Winnfield secured the district championship with a wins against Many and Red River.

The Bulldogs are No. 5 in Division III Non-Select, but Red River could easily fall a couple spots to No. 8 or even possibly out of the top 10 if they struggle in the final week.

Red River’s power ranking of 25.8 is just 0.4 points higher than No. 8 Caldwell Parish. To put in perspective, No. 4 Jewel Sumner has a 0.8-point lead on Red River.

RIVERDALE BASEBALL

The Riverdale baseball team is scheduled to play at Briarfield Academy on Friday and Parkers Chapel on Monday in the coming days.

The Rebels (2-12) are looking for their first win since March 4 with PCA.

Riverdale has six more scheduled games remaining in the regular season.

RED RIVER SOFTBALL

The Red River softball team improved to 4-1 in District 3-2A play with a 26-6 win against Lakeview on Tuesday.

The Lady Bulldogs (8-15, 4-1) won’t be able to catch Many in the district race, and time is running out to claw their way into the Division III Non-Select playoff picture.

Red River is sitting at No. 28 in the power rankings needing to crack the top 24, but they are more than 3.5 power points behind No. 24 Ville Platte.

The Lady Bulldogs need wins against Loyola, Byrd and Ringgold along with help from the opponents of teams above them.

Ringgold on Tuesday is the home finale as well as the regular season finale.