The Minden All-Stars advanced to the winners’ bracket finals of the Diamond Youth Baseball 9U state tournament with two shutout victories Friday at Tinsley Park in Bossier City.
Minden defeated Jackson Parish 17-0 and Alexandria 2-0. Minden, which has not allowed a run in three games, faces Ville Platte Saturday at 11 a.m.
Minden edged Sabine 4-3 in the 7U Coach Pitch state tournament in Vidalia. Minden plays Ruston Saturday at 11:30 a.m. in a winners’ bracket semifinal game.
Minden is still alive in the 8U Coach Pitch North Regional tournament in Shreveport. Minden, which lost a hard-fought game against West Carroll 9-6 Friday, plays Haughton in an elimination game Saturday at 8 a.m.
The Minden 9U team’s game against Jackson Parish only went 2 1/2 innings. According to stats on the team’s GameChanger site, starting pitcher Ridge Reno allowed just one hit in 2 2/3 innings with seven strikeouts and no walks. Brooks Ingles got the final out.
Nash Leonard and Noah Minter hit one home run each. Minden took advantage of multiple walks and hit-by-pitches.
Minden scored two runs in the bottom of the first against Alexandria. Minden again got outstanding pitching. Starter Liam Hurley didn’t give up a hit and struck out four in two innings. Brooks Lewis allowed two hits and struck out four in three innings.
Other members of the team are Jett Jones, Calvin Pendergrass, Lincoln Gibson, Easton Williams, Parker McEachern and Hudson McCain.
According to stats on its GameChanger site, Minden broke a 3-3 tie against Sabine Parish with a run in the bottom of the fifth. Minden had 13 hits.
The Minden 8U team battled to the end against West Carroll. Minden scored two runs in the bottom of the fourth and the game went into extra innings tied at 6. But West Carroll pulled out the victory with three in the seventh.