SHREVEPORT – The Minden Crimson Tide jumped out to an early lead and never looked back in an 11-1 road victory over the Southwood Cowboys Tuesday night.
The Cowboys got the better of the Tide last weekend, but Minden restored order by putting 11 runs on the board. That was plenty of room for senior right-hander Clint Ray to work with, as he limited the Cowboys to three hits on the night.
Minden scored one run in the top of the first, followed by two more runs in the second to take an early 3-0 lead. Scoreless third and fourth frames were followed by Southwood taking one run back in the fifth.
That woke up the Tide, who went on to score two runs in the sixth and six runs in the seventh to shut the door on the Cowboys’ comeback hopes.
Ray worked the first five and two-thirds for Minden, giving way to Hunter Wilkes for the final out of the sixth inning. Minden ace Trace Francis came in to seal the deal, firing a scoreless seventh inning by striking out the side.
Ray finished with five strikeouts, three walks allowed and three hits allowed, plus the one earned run.
Matt Eskew shined in the batter’s box for the Tide. Eskew finished the game 2-4 with a triple, single and four RBIs. Gavin Smith came through for the Tide with a RBI single, one of two hits for the senior. Francis smoked an RBI double for the Tide. Justin McCready and Aubrey Dennis each went 1-4 with RBI singles. Jordan Lyday finished with two RBIs but no hits.
Minden’s record improves to 5-7 with the win, as the Tide try to bounce back from a tough weekend.
The Tide’s next contest will be Thursday against Fair Park to open district play. Tuesday, March 29, the Tide will host Airline for a challenging non-district game, followed by another non-district matchup with Loyola Thursday, March 31.