Matt Vines

COUSHATTA – The Red River softball team slid into a first-round home game for the second straight season, the first time in program history the Lady Bulldogs accomplished that feat.

But the playoff road ended there Thursday as No. 16 Red River fell to No. 17 Church Point in a 16-0 loss in three innings.

The visiting Lady Bears (13-16) scored 13 runs in the first inning, facing more than 60 pitches from starting pitcher Maddie Baxley in that opening frame.

Church Point runners found their way onto the basepaths in a variety of ways, scoring four runs before Red River recorded the first out.

While there were many critical junctures in the first inning, a three-run home run from Madeline Broce that pushed Church Point’s edge to 11-0.

Red River (15-11) scattered a handful of runners on the bases in their three at-bats, but the Lady Bulldogs couldn’t manage a serious scoring threat against pitcher Joshlyn Melancon.

Church Point advances to face No. 1 Jena in the second round.

Red River and Church Point were destined to play each other in the first round of the playoffs as the teams jockeyed for home field advantage in the final days of the regular season.

The Lady Bulldogs’ win against Dodson on Monday likely secured a home game for Red River, who had arguably their second-best season ever following last year’s 20-win campaign.

Red River earned a home game by edging Church Point by fractions of a power point when the playoff brackets were released Wednesday.

The game was put together quickly with one day’s turnaround, playing much earlier than most other playoff teams, which have until Saturday to finish the first round.

While the program is still looking for its first-ever playoff victory in its eighth playoff appearance, hosting its third home playoff game and second in the last two seasons is still a positive step forward.