BY RYAN ARENA

L’Observateur

SHREVEPORT — Riverside traveled Shreveport to face Evangel Saturday, hoping it would not be its last trip to the region this season.

But the Eagles denied the Rebels a berth in the state baseball tournament hosted in the same city, downing RA 12-2 in five innings in a Class 2A quarterfinal game by the 10-run rule at Durward Rust Field.

It is the third time in four seasons Evangel has made it to the state tournament. It will face Dunham this weekend in a semifinal game.

The Eagles (24-9) scored 10 runs in the first two innings, knocking RA starter Tate Scioneaux from the game. It was more than enough for Eagles starter Chase Clarke and reliever Josh Lang, who combined to hold the Rebels (19-12) to a single hit.

“I thought we hit the ball just about as hard as we did against Northlake Christian,” said White, referencing his team’s 15-3 win over the defending state champions in the second round. “They out hit us seven to six. We did hit six batters and he walked three. But they played great defense.

“We struck out twice here and get two runs. We strike out nine times last week and came up with 15. They played an outstanding game and we just didn’t catch a break.”

C.J. Edler’s solo home run in the second inning was that lone hit, which cut Evangel’s lead at the time to 3-1.

But Evangel scored seven runs in the second inning, sparked by a bases loaded error by the Rebels that brought home three runs. Caleb Goodwin added a three-run home run for the Eagles in the inning.

Riverside made a push to answer back but some stellar defense by Evangel silenced that notion. A sliding catch in right field took away a single from Scioneaux in the fourth, then shortstop Daniel Cucjen robbed Bryant Tassin of a hit with a strong stop and throw. Austin Vicknair followed with a single, but Goodwin threw him out at second base to end the threat.

It was Riverside’s third consecutive trip to the state quarterfinals.

White said that he felt his team made great strides this season, its first with he as head coach.

“It was our first winning season in four years, and that win over the two-time defending champions (Northlake Christian) was big for the program. I thought the overall attitude of our guys improved by leaps and bounds this season.

We instilled a different approach, a different philosophy, and our guys played with pride and effort. So I’m proud of the season that we had.”