Former Minden High star Brody Bower and current Glenbrook standout Easton Sanders helped the Bossier Phillies win the American Legion Baseball State Tournament held July 13-17 at the University of Louisiana-Lafayette’s ML “Tigue” Moore Field,
Bower, a 2024 graduate headed to Bossier Parish Community College, started on the mound in the Phillies’ 5-4 victory over New Orleans Jesuit-based and defending champion Retif Oil in the title game Wednesday.
He gave up three hits, struck out eight and walked three in 5 2/3 innings, per the Phillies’ GameChanger site. Abel Thetford relieved him with two outs in the sixth. He didn’t allow a hit in 1 1/3 innings.
Sanders, a rising senior who has committed to Louisiana Tech, had a double.
Bossier advances to the regional tournament Aug. 7-11 In Washington, Mo.
The Phillies are comprised of current and former high standouts from Northwest Louisiana. Three are from Northeast Texas teams.
Other team members are Colton Smith (Parkway), Tanner Webb (Benton), Cade Moore (Carthage, Texas), Thetford (Parkway), Hayden Millen (Benton), Griffin Sibley (Benton), Kade Bryant (Benton), Jackson Jones (Benton), Tucker McCabe (Northwood), Hudson Brignac (Benton), Blayne McFerren (North DeSoto), Britain Pipes (Liberty-Eylau, Texas), Bryson Pierce (Benton) and Ty Boozer (Pleasant Grove, Texas).
Coaches are Dane Peavy, Jonathan Boucher, Jonathan Orr and Seth Bearden.
Bossier trailed 4-2 after five innings against Retif in the title game. The Phillies scored three in the top of the fifth to take the lead.
Jones had a two-RBI single to tie it. McCabe brought home the go-ahead run with a double.
Bossier opened the tournament with a 10-1 victory over St. Thomas More Navy.
Sanders started and allowed just two hits in 6 innings. He struck out seven and walked one. He also had two RBI.
The Phillies suffered their only loss in their second game, falling to the Crowley Millers 9-2.
They bounced back with a 5-1 victory over the Lafayette Drillers. Sanders drew a walk and had an RBI.
Bossier then handed Retif Oil its first loss 10-0, in five innings. Sanders had a single and an RBI.
Bossier then won a 3-2 thriller over the Terrebonne Parish-based Southland Hogs in another elimination game and advanced to championship game.
The Phillies scored a run in the bottom of the sixth to tie it. Brignac scored the winning run on a bases-loaded walk by Sanders with two outs and two strikes.
Sanders went 5 2/3 innings. He struck out five and walked nine. He also had a single, drew a walk and recorded three RBI.
Here are some photos from the tournament courtesy of Ginger Swanson.
