The hits kept coming Thursday for the Minden Crimson Tide, as they out-hit the Calvary Cavaliers 13 to nine on the day. However, they couldn’t get enough timely hits and left nine runners on base in a 9-8 loss to the Cavs.

Minden first baseman Cade Coleman awaits a pick-off attempt in Tuesday’s contest with Parkway. The Tide took on Calvary Thursday night and lost a close one, 9-8. Black Branch/Press-Herald
Minden first baseman Cade Coleman awaits a pick-off attempt in Tuesday’s contest with Parkway. The Tide took on Calvary Thursday night and lost a close one, 9-8. Black Branch/Press-Herald
Minden and Calvary scheduled the mid-week game in an effort to make up for time lost to unprecedented flooding and rainfall last week. The Tide came out fast, jumping out to a 3-1 lead after two innings and even pushing that lead to 5-1 in the top of the third.

Calvary had the answer though, responding with an eight-run third inning to erase the once comfortable Minden lead and make the score 9-5.

Still undeterred, the Tide came back with one run in the fourth, sixth and seventh inning, all while Minden reliever Clint Ray was keeping the Cavaliers at bay.

The Tide got one run across in the seventh and final inning, but couldn’t manage to push across the tying run to extend the game.

With the loss, Minden’s record falls to 4-4 on the season ahead of this weekend’s Natchitoches Central Tournament.

At the plate, Minden’s Justin McCready had a solid day, finishing 3-4 with three singles. Trace Francis went 2-4 with a double and single to go along with an RBI. Gavin Smith and Matt Eskew each had two singles and an RBI for the Tide, while Gunner Stephens went 1-2 with a two-RBI double.
Peyton Gray and Aubrey Dennis each came through with RBI singles for Minden and senior Cade Coleman added a base hit to round out the Tide’s day at the plate.

It was a tough day in the field with four errors committed by the Tide, making things even tougher for the Minden pitching staff against a stout lineup.

Starter Jordan Lyday went two innings and allowed four earned runs and three hits with no strikeouts.
Austin Wall pitched in relief and took the loss. He pitched just two-thirds of an inning. Clint Ray tossed the final three and one-third innings for the Tide.

Minden now turns their focus to the Natchitoches Tournament where they will play three games in two days. The first will be against Southwood, today at 3:30 p.m., followed by another game at 5:30 p.m. against Leesville. The Tide will conclude the tournament Saturday by taking on St. Mary’s at 12:30 p.m.

Leesville 8
Doyline 1

In other Webster Parish action, Doyline fell to Leesville.

The Panthers could only muster one hit, a single by Bryce Taylor.

Senior righty Cameron Smith took the loss, tossing four innings, striking out two batters and allowing four runs on four hits.