All three Jackson Parish baseball teams won big on Tuesday, but the day will be remembered by something that took place that is bigger than sports. As a whole, the three schools won by a combined margin, with Jonesboro-Hodge romping past Rayville 19-2, Quitman besting Beekman-Charter 11-1, and Weston whipping Choudrant 8-1. The Wolves opened the week by outlasting Northwood-Shreveport in a wild 17-16 slugfest.
Quitman 11 Beekman-Charter 1: In what turned out to be a game that will forever be etched in the memory of Quitman players, coaches, and fans, the fired-up Wolverines erupted for multiple runs in each of their four at-bats and witnessed Kace West turn in one of the most awe-inspiring efforts on the mound you would ever want to see.
Led by Quitman alum Todd Ford, Division II Beekman Charter (1-6) was no match for the Wolverines, who evened their season record at 5-5 with the victory. Quitman scored 2,2,3 and 4 runs in consecutive at-bats as Maddox Duck, Hudson Pullig, Tucker Newton all got two hits, and Zach Smudrick, Asher Rhodes, Tucker Barnett, and West all got a hit each.
What made the contest special was the performance of West, who was grieving over the death of his grandfather, Donnie Miller, who had passed away earlier in the day.
“I didn’t know if he would play or not,” said QHS head coach Chris Womack, who continued by explaining that when he saw West arrive before the game, their conversation went like this.
Womack: You feel like playing?
West: Yes! I want to because Papaw would want me to.
Womack: What do you think about starting on the mound?
West: “GIVE ME THE BALL!!”
In his five innings, West allowed only one hit and one unearned run while striking out 6, including the last three batters he faced in the top of the fifth to secure the “run rule” victory.
“After striking out the final 3 batters, all the tears and emotions he had been holding in finally poured out,” emotionally recalled Womack. “There wasn’t a dry eye around him. It was one of those moments where sports mean much more than wins or losses, and you play for something bigger than yourself.”
Weston 8 Choudrant 1: Five runs in the top of the sixth inning broke open a close game as Colton Blundell, who had 3 RBI in the game, hit a double and Liam Weaver stroked a triple to drive in two runs each. By virtue of a third straight victory and second in two days, the Wolves improved to 7-2 on the year and climbed to #2 in the Class B power ratings. Drew Browning and Dawson Griffin, who added a double, scored twice and Browning and Ty Henderson scattered five hits over 7 innings while striking out six.
Weston 17 Northwood-Shreve 16 (Monday): The Wolves built a seven-run lead and then hung on to squelch a late Northwood rally in the slugfest that saw the two teams combine for 33 runs, 28 walks, and 23 hits. Kolt Keiffer (2B, 4 RBI, 2 RS), Jase Borders (RBI, RS), Colton Blundell (2 RBI, 2 RS), and Liam Weaver (2 RBI, RS) all had two hits. Drew Browning (2B, 3 RS, RBI), Ty Henderson (3 RBI, 3 BB, 2 RS), and Beaux Oliver (RS) also had a hit each, while Kypton Caskey (3 RS) and Dawson Griffin (RS) both had an RBi and walked twice. Carter Powell also scored a run.
JHHS 19 Rayville 2: The Tigers continued to score at will to run their record to a sparkling 4-1 mark with all victories over teams from a higher classification, which has vaulted J-H to a #3 ranking in the early Division IV power ratings. The Tigers have now scored 64 runs in five games for nearly a 13 per game average. No individual stats were available.
UP NEXT: (Baseball)
Thursday, February 26
Weston vs Prairieville (East Ascension Tourney) 5:00 pm
Friday, February 27
JHHS vs Rayville 5:00 pm
Weston vs East Ascension (East Ascension Tourney) 6:30 pm
Saturday, February 28
Weston vs St. Amant (East Ascension Tourney) 12:00 pm
Quitman vs Evangel (Red River Tourney) 2:00 pm
Quitman vs North Caddo (Red River Tourney) 4:00 pm
UP NEXT: (Softball)
Wednesday, February 25
JHHS at Bastrop 5:00 pm
Thursday, February 26
JHHS vs Lakeview 5:00 pm
Quitman at Ruston 5:30 pm
Weston vs Dodson 4:00 pm
Friday, February 27
Quitman vs TBA (Polar Bear Classic at ULM)
Weston vs PCA 4:00 pm
Saturday, February 28
Quitman vs TBA (Polar Bear Classic at ULM)
Weston vs TBA (Polar Bear Classic at ULM)