April 2024 – Page 10 – Lincoln Parish Journal (2024)

On April 15, 1947, Jackie Robinson, age 28, becomes the first African American player in Major League Baseball’s modern era when he steps onto Ebbets Field in Brooklyn to compete for the Brooklyn Dodgers. Robinson broke the color barrier in a sport that had been segregated for more than 50 years.

Exactly 50 years later, on April 15, 1997, Robinson’s groundbreaking career was honored and his uniform number, 42, was retired from Major League Baseball by Commissioner Bud Selig in a ceremony attended by over 50,000 fans at New York City’s Shea Stadium. Robinson’s was the first-ever number retired by all teams in the league.

Jack Roosevelt Robinson was born January 31, 1919, in Cairo, Georgia, to a family of sharecroppers. Growing up, he excelled at sports and attended the University of California at Los Angeles, where he was the first athlete to letter in four varsity sports: baseball, basketball, football and track. After financial difficulties forced Robinson to drop out of UCLA, he joined the army in 1942 and was commissioned as a second lieutenant. After protesting instances of racial discrimination during his military service, Robinson was court-martialed in 1944. Ultimately, though, he was honorably discharged.

After the army, Robinson played for a season in the Negro American League. In 1946, he spent one season with the Canadian minor league team the Montreal Royals. In 1947, Robinson was called up to the Majors and soon became a star infielder and outfielder for the Dodgers, as well as the National League’s Rookie of the Year.

In 1949, the right-hander was named the National League’s Most Valuable Player and league batting champ. Robinson played on the National League All-Star team from 1949 through 1954 and led the Dodgers to six National League pennants and one World Series, in 1955. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1962, his first year of eligibility.

Despite his talent and success as a player, Robinson faced tremendous racial discrimination throughout his career, from baseball fans and some fellow players. Additionally, Jim Crow laws prevented Robinson from using the same hotels and restaurants as his teammates while playing in the South.

After retiring from baseball in 1957, Robinson became a businessman and civil rights activist. He died October 24, 1972, at age 53, in Stamford, Connecticut.

For more in this day in history. go to history.com.

Special to the LPJ

On April 4-6, FRC team #9153 Bearcat Robotics from Ruston High School returned to the Bayou Regional competition, located in Kenner, Louisiana. The competition consisted of fifty-five teams from Louisiana, Texas, Arkansas, and Mississippi and also included four teams from Mexico, one team from Canada, one team from Turkey, and one team from Poland.

Far outperforming their appearance last year, the Bearcats scored very well throughout the qualification matches. Despite a few robot malfunctions and breakages, they remained one of the most consistent teams in the matches. After two days of intense competition, with the help of FRC team #9084 The Octobots, from Santa Barbara, Calif., the Bearcats managed to disassemble the robot’s arm, replace the axle, and reassemble the arm and replace several tire treads in two short hours to be ready for the next day’s matches. Despite these hardships, the Bearcats were able to find time to help other teams, including a rookie team, FRC team #9761 LSMSA Robotics from Natchitoches, LA, who had a glitch in their coding preventing them from driving, and we ended up resolving the issue.

The Bearcats impressed the judges with their commitment to improving their robot and learning from past mistakes. After every match, the team completed a match recap paper with their performance, robot malfunctions, and needed upgrades. The team made sure not to make any of the mistakes they made in previous matches. These practices impressed the judges so much that they awarded the Bearcats the Judges’ Award. This award recognizes a team which stood out to the judges in terms of unique efforts or dynamics. The award gives the judges a chance to recognize a team who does not fit into the other, more specific, award categories.

As the Bearcats bring the 2024 competition season to a close, the team is very proud of their performance this year. The team performed much better than they did their rookie year last year, and plans to see further improvement in the years to come. The team is grateful to its 2024 sponsors and mentors including NASA, Intralox, Champion Technology Services, and Century Next Bank, and hopes for their continued support of this amazing program. We plan to expand to include a junior varsity team in the future, and the team is looking for potential sponsors to support team expansion. Though the season is over, the team is still going, making improvements, and looking to compete in the offseason at the Northshore Knockout in July.

We are always seeking community involvement with our team! If you wish to support Bearcat Robotics through a financial sponsorship or mentorship in areas of engineering, coding, CAD, or marketing/digital design please contact Sarah Wages at sarah.wages@lincolnschools.org or Kristin Bryan at kristin.bryan@lincolnschools.org.

Each Monday and Friday, the Lincoln Parish Journal will post a list of non-for-profit upcoming events happening in the parish. If you would like to add your event to this list or advertise your for-profit events, please email us at lpjnewsla@gmail.com.

Monday, April 15
11:30 a.m.: Lunch on Us (Presbyterian Church, 212 North Bonner Street., Ruston) — everyone welcome
5:30 p.m.: Ruston Planning and Zoning meeting (Ruston City Hall)
6 p.m.: Toastmasters International meeting (Louisiana Center for the Blind, 101 South Trenton Street)
6 p.m.: Creative meetups (112 W. Alabama Ave.)

Tuesday, April 16
10 a.m.: Storytime at Lincoln Parish Library
6 p.m.: LA Tech baseball
6 p.m.: GSU baseball

Wednesday, April 17
7-8 a.m.: Veterans Coffee Club (PJ’s Coffee)
11:30 a.m.: Lunch on Us (Presbyterian Church, 212 North Bonner Street., Ruston) — everyone welcome

Thursday, April 18
5-8 p.m.: Ruston Farmers Market Night Market
5:30-7 p.m.: Lincoln Parish Library event with Bark
5:30 p.m.: VFW monthly meeting (Historic Fire station; all combat veterans welcome)
7 p.m.: RCT presents “Steel Magnolias” (Dixie Theatre)

Friday, April 19
6 p.m.: GSU baseball
6 p.m.: LA Tech softball
7 p.m.: RCT presents “Steel Magnolias” (Dixie Theatre)

Saturday, April 20
8 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Spring Master Gardeners Plant Sale (The Bridge Community Church, 2301 N. Trenton Street, Ruston)
9 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Ruston Farmers Market
10 a.m.: Pack the Park: Battle of the Bands (Railroad Park)

10 a.m. Book Signing by Shirley Wesselhoeft (Traded to the Enemy) and aviation art display by Tim Sherman at 5.11 by Karl Malone (until 6 p.m.)

2 p.m.: LA Tech softball
3 p.m.: GSU baseball
7 p.m.: RCT presents “Steel Magnolias” (Dixie Theatre)

Sunday, April 21
11 a.m. to 6 p.m.: Weaving with Wisteria (Lincoln Parish Park)
Noon: LA Tech softball
1 p.m.: GSU baseball
2 p.m.: RCT presents “Steel Magnolias” (Dixie Theatre)

by Malcolm Butler

Cedar Creek made quick work of its opponent in the first round of the Select School Division IV softball playoffs as the No. 17 seed Lady Cougars dismantled No 16 seed Louis McGehee 23-0 in three innings in New Orleans.

With the win Cedar Creek (13-14) will advance to face No. 1 seed Opelousas Catholic in the regional round. Time and date to be determined.

“We were focused today and were ready to play,” said head coach Julie Riser. “We settled in after the first inning and started hitting. We seem to be seeing the ball well and just capitalized on that 2nd inning. We pitched and played good defense to get the win.”

The Lady Cougars plated 20 runs in the second inning and three more in the third and coasted to the win.

Mallory Smith (2-3, 2 runs, 3 RBI), Anna Claire Fitzgerald (1-2, 2 runs, 4 RBI), Ava Lantrip (2-3, 2 runs), Bailey Adams (2-3, 2 runs, 2 RBI), Oliver Underwood (3-4, 3 runs, 2 RBI), Ainsley DeMent (2-2, 3 runs, 2 RBI), Hydi Boyd (2-2, 2 runs, RBI), Presley Wall (3-3, 2 runs, 4 RBI), Cadence Spangler (1-2, 2 runs, 1 RBI), Anslee Woods (1-1, 2 RBI), and Jaleigh Martin (1-1, run, RBI) all recorded hits in the game for the Lady Cougars.

Wall (2 doubles), Woods (double), Adams (double), Smith (double), Underwood (double, triple), DeMent (triple) and Fitzergerald (home run) all recorded extra base hits.

Lantrip picked up the win in the circle for the Lady Cougars, allowing just one run and walking two while striking out three in 3.0 innings of action.

By T. Scott Boatright

The Simsboro softball team came out and put the pedal to the metal with wheels smoking and pitcher Carlei Wheeler in the driver’s seat as the 15th-seeded Lady Tigers roared to a 10-3 win over 18th-seed Evans Friday night in the opening round of the Division V Nonselect school playoffs Friday.

Wheeler started out strong, facing only three Lady Eagle batters in the top of the first inning, fanning two of them.

By the time it was all over Wheeler had struck out 16 Evans batters and thrown a no hitter through four innings.

Simsboro jumped out to a 2-0 advantage in the bottom half of the opening stanza with leadoff batter Callie Harrison scoring the first run off a passed ball before Jacoya Lewis singled and who one out later scored when Kaylea Murphy reached first off an Evans error..

Harrison led off the top of the third and scored off a Wheeler single before Wheeled rounded the rest of the bases on a trio of wild pitches to put the Lady Tigers on top 4-0.

After striking out 11 batters into the fifth, the wheels got off balance for a bit for the Simsboro pitcher as Evans plated a pair of runs to cut the Simsboro lead to 4-2 through four-and-a-half innings.

But the Lady Tigers countered with three runs in the bottom of the fifth inning as Harrison, Lewis and Wheeler all scored with Wheeler, Murphy and Ciara Caldwell each notching an RBI.

Trailing 7-2 going into the top of the sixth stanza Wheeler hit a batter before giving up an RBI double as the Lady Eagles cut the Simsboro lead to 7-3.

But that’s when Wheeler floored it again, striking out three of the next four batters she faced to work her way out of the jam.

“I realized I had to make some adjustments,” Wheeler said. “In a game, sometimes during a game my mechanics kind of mess up and get off track, and when that happens I slow down and focus on my mechanics.

“Then after making those adjustments and feeling my mechanics coming back, I can pick the speed back up. Once I feel those mechanics get better and back in the groove, I pick my speed back up.”

Wheeler’s performance, including striking out the only three batters she faced in the top of the seven inning, wasn’t a surprise for Simsboro coach Payton Bond.

“She’s got a really good head on her shoulders and knows how to harness that energy and channel it when we need it and not let it kind of fly off the wheels,” Bond said about his junior pitcher. “She just locked in and that just shows the maturity she’s gained as the years have gone by. Maybe in the past she couldn’t have, whereas this year she is able to do that.”

Bond said having Lewis behind the plate catching for Wheeler has played a big role in his team’s chalking up a 19-10 record so far this season.

“They’re best friends,” Bond said. “They’re walking the halls together and going to class together. Just to be able to have that kind of relationship — they’ve been together since the seventh grade before I got here — I knew they were going to be cornerstones for me to build around.

“And they do a great job of that. I’ve got a younger team. I’ve got a freshman at third base. I’m playing an eighth grader and a seventh grader, a freshman in right field and an eighth grader at shortstop. We’re young. So just to be able to have those two mentor them and show these younger girls that we’re never really out of it and that if the others can make those players, those two will have their back. Just make the next play. We’ve built on that all year. So to see that all come together puts a smile on my face.”

Simsboro added its final three runs in the bottom of the sixth inning with Wheeler hitting a two-RBI triple before Murphy knocked in the final run.

The win was especially sweet for Bond, who saw his Lady Tigers start strong in their playoff opener last season before falling 10-3 at Hicks.

“Carli doesn’t allow a hit until the fourth inning and gets 16 Ks, after seeing her do so well during the regular season, it was just nice to see her get this one — a big one — under her belt,;” Bond said. “Last year (in the playoff game at Hicks) she started out hot — she had a no hitter going into the third and we just fell apart in the middle.

“So to see us play a full game around her and see our bats come alive, too, was something we wanted — just keep our foot down on the pedal and never stop.Being able to execute a bunt and run there at the end and move the runs around, that was big. This was an entire team win. Together we all did this, and I’m proud of every one of them.”

Next up for Simsboro, which chalked up its first postseason win since 2018 with the victory over Evans, will be a second-round game at No. 2 seed Zwolle in a game Bond hopes will be played on Tuesday to give his team Monday to hold practice.

“We knew we had to handle this one first, but Zwolle lost a big one to Stanley in district play,” Bond said. “We beat Stanley last weekend. So just to be able to see that we’ve beaten teams that have beaten them, we’re ready to go. We’re fired up.

“So we were excited to be there when we saw that (bracket) draw. Even though it could have been a third shot at Choudrant, we wanted Zwolle because we feel we can beat them. We wanted that challenge. The road runs through them and I’m excited to see where it ends up next week.”

By Kyle Roberts

Fifteen-ranked Chalmette’s one run in the bottom of the second inning proved to be the difference in a close first round playoff loss for the Ruston High School Lady Bearcats (17-13), who finished with the No. 18 seed in the power rankings after not being in the playoffs for the previous two seasons.

“Gracious, I wanted Friday night for our girls,” Ruston head coach Lauren Garvie said afterward. “I think they earned it, and I wanted it to almost show them just how much they have accomplished. I think that’s because of that and because they wanted it just as bad there was a little pressure at the plate.”

The Lady Bearcats ended the night with two hits total, coming from both senior Cala Wilson and junior Morgan Foster. Wilson pitched the entire night in the circle and truck out four batters.

For Garvie, the return to the playoffs is the beginning of a bright future for the softball program.

“This season was such a success for the girls,” Garvie said. “Now, I may not be the coach to take this program all the way back because goodness knows I’m not perfect, but I believe there is a reason my husband was accepted to one medical school, and I think God moved my family here to meet a group of girls who are all too often counted out; if I do nothing else at least I’ll be the person to day in and day out tell them that they are capable of success and to encourage them to chase after it. And because of that I believe these girls and I know this coaching staff will work like the dickens to prove that in every game.”

Ruston will graduate six seniors in Wilson, Allie Barrett, Allie Richardson, Jojo Fernandes, Murphy DeMoss and Shelby Freeman.

Courtesy of Staff Reports/LA Tech Athletic Communications

The Louisiana Tech softball team won its series over CUSA foe Jacksonville State this weekend while the Bulldog baseball team dropped all three games of a non-conference series at Arizona.

Softball

After falling 8-7 in Friday night’s opener, Tech (26-12, 9-6) rebounded with a 4-2 win on Saturday and an 8-3 series clinching victory on Sunday afternoon at Jana McGinnis Field.

“It is going to take fight the rest of the season,” said Tech head coach Josh Taylor. “(Sunday) was the first time in a few weeks that we were complete with our pitching, defense and hitting. The quality of our at-bats were improved. It is a good step forward heading into next week. Any time we can win on Sunday is a good thing especially when we can win two in a row. Being able to take a series is great to carry into next weekend when we finally get to come back home.”

In Friday night’s loss, a 5-run fifth inning by the Gameco*cks (18-24, 7-8) was too much to overcome for the Bulldogs.

Tech trailed 8-4 heading into its final at bat and the Bulldogs plated three runs — all coming with two outs. But with the tying run on second and the go-ahead run on first, the final out was recorded and the Bulldogs fell in the series opener.

Brooke Diaz (3-4), Aubree Seaney (2-4, 2 RBI), Alexis Gilio (2-3, RBI) and Alannah Rogers (2-5) all recorded multi-hit games for the Bulldogs in the loss.

In Saturday’s Game 2 win, Tech used a 3-run home run by Kylie Neel in the top of the fifth to break open a 1-1 game and eventually pick up the victory.

Neel was 2-for-3 with 3 RBI and 2 runs scored while Caroline Easom added an RBI single.

Mattison Buster (2.0 IP, 1 run), Brook Melnychuk (2.1 IP, 1 run) and Allie Floyd (2.2 IP, 0 runs) combined to allow just four hits. Melnychuk earned the win while Floyd picked up the save.

Alexis Gilio made the game-saving defensive play in the bottom of the seventh, going over the wall to take away what would have been the game-tying 2-run home run.

On Sunday, Neel drove in four runs with a 2-run home run, a sacrifice fly and an RBI triple as the Bulldogs never trailed in the game. Gilio (2-4, 2 RBI, 2 runs), Rogers (2-4, run), Neel (2-3, 2 runs, 4 RBI), and Claire Raley (1-4, 2 runs) combined to register seven of the 10 hits and score seven of the eight runs in the win.

Melnychuk picked up her second win in as many days, tossing 4.0 IP and allowing three runs. Lauren Menzina (2.0 IP, 0 runs) and Emma Hutchinson (1.0 IP, 0 runs) tossed three scoreless innings in relief.

Tech will face Ole Miss Tuesday in Oxford in a 3 p.m. doubleheader.

_______________________________________

Baseball

The Bulldogs dropped all three games of the non-conference series against Arizona, falling 9-1, 6-5 and 5-2.

Tech’s best opportunity came in Saturday night’s game when the Bulldogs (26-12) led 5-0 heading into the bottom of the ninth inning. However, the Wildcats scored six runs on six hits and two walks to record the dramatic come-from-behind win.

For the first eight innings, LA Tech (26-11) was in complete control. After registering a season-low three hits the night before, they had 14 total base knocks with five players having multi-hit games.

Three of those hits came in the first inning alone as Dalton Davis and Cole McConnell posted back-to-back doubles for the first run, followed shortly thereafter by an RBI single from Jorge Corona up the middle to make it an early 2-0 lead for the visitors.

The Bulldogs would gradually add to their lead as the game went on. Will Safford delivered with a sacrifice fly in the fourth to make it 3-0. Later in the eighth inning, McConnell’s hot shot to first resulted in an RBI groundout. Then LA Tech tacked on one more in the ninth with Grant Comeaux, who went 3-for-4, recording a single up the middle, making it 5-0.

Meanwhile on the mound, starter Luke Nichols was stellar, throwing a season-high 6.1 innings of shutout baseball while allowing just four hits. Reliever Sam Brodersen came on in relief, keeping the shutout going against Arizona (20-13) through the seventh and eighth inning.

He came back out to finish the game in the ninth, but after walking the first two batters closer Ethan Bates (1-1) was called on from right field to get three outs. Three straight singles by Arizona quickly sliced LA Tech’s deficit down to 5-2.

The first out was finally recorded with an infield fly to third, but the Wildcats singled again which scored two to make it 5-4. Bates was able to induce a flyout to right field for the second out. However, Arizona tied the game up with a ground-rule double and then completed the comeback with a single through the left side to overcome the five-run deficit in the final inning.

In Friday night’s loss to Arizona, Tech managed just three hits in the loss. The lone run of the game came on an RBI double by Adarius Myers in the top of the second inning.

Three Wildcats pitchers combined to strike out 15 Tech batters.

On Sunday, Tech managed just five hits in the 5-2 loss as Arizona pitchers combined to fan 10 Bulldog batters.

The lone offensive bright spot was a two-run home run by Ethan Bates in the top of the sixth inning that cut the Arizona lead to 5-2.

Tech will travel to ULM Tuesday for a 6 p.m. first pitch.

Courtesy of GSU Athletic Communications

The Grambling State University baseball team suffered a 12-9 loss to Southern on Sunday afternoon at Wilbert Ellis Field at R.W.E. Jones Park, concluding a three-game series versus the Jaguars.

The loss came after Grambling fell 10-4 and 13-12 in a doubleheader on Saturday.

For the first time this season, GSU (12-20 overall, 9-5 SWAC) was swept in a SWAC series. It also marked the first time that Grambling State was swept by Southern (16-15, 10-3 SWAC) since 2021.

As was the case last night, the Tigers were able to hit the ball well, but inconsistency on the mound doomed the GSU. For the second game in a row, Grambling State issued double-digit walks. On Sunday, the Tigers walked 12 batters.

Starting pitcher Carlos Peguero (1-8) was charged with the loss after giving up eight runs on seven hits in 3.0 innings pitched. He struck out three batters and walked five.

Offensively, GSU outhit Southern 12-10 Cameron Bufford leading the way, going 2-for-5 with two RBI.

In the first game Saturday, Grambling State let a 4-2 lead slip away over the final four innings. GSU was outscored 8-0 over the final four innings of the contest.

Starting pitcher Mason Martinez paced the Tigers on the mound, striking out seven batters in 6.2 innings of work. He surrendered four runs on six hits and three walks. Javier Martinez was tagged with the loss in a relief role, giving up five runs on six hits and a pair of walks in 2.0 innings pitched.

Southern outhit Grambling State 16-8. Ashton Inman led the Tigers at the plate going 2-for-5 with an RBI.

In Saturday’s second game, the Tigers fell 13-12 despite surrendering just three hits. However, 18 walks and eight hit batters by Grambling pitchers led to the loss.

Offensively, Grambling State registered 18 hits, which tied a season-high.

Samuel Spivey
Thursday 09/23/1954 — Friday 04/12/2024
Family Gathering: Thursday 04/18/2024 2:00pm at King’s Funeral Home
Visitation: Thursday 04/18/2024 3:00pm to 5:00pm at King’s Funeral Home
Celebration of Life: Friday 04/19/2024 11:00am at King’s Funeral Home
Interment: Friday 04/19/2024, Young’s Chapel CME Church Cemetery, Calhoun

by Malcolm Butler

Cedar Creek made quick work of its opponent in the first round of the Select School Division IV softball playoffs as the No. 17 seed Lady Cougars dismantled No 16 seed Louis McGehee 23-0 in three innings in New Orleans.

With the win Cedar Creek (13-14) will advance to face No. 1 seed Opelousas Catholic in the regional round. Time and date to be determined.

“We were focused today and were ready to play,” said head coach Julie Riser. “We settled in after the first inning and started hitting. We seem to be seeing the ball well and just capitalized on that 2nd inning. We pitched and played good defense to get the win.”

The Lady Cougars plated 20 runs in the second inning and three more in the third and coasted to the win.

Mallory Smith (2-3, 2 runs, 3 RBI), Anna Claire Fitzgerald (1-2, 2 runs, 4 RBI), Ava Lantrip (2-3, 2 runs), Bailey Adams (2-3, 2 runs, 2 RBI), Oliver Underwood (3-4, 3 runs, 2 RBI), Ainsley DeMent (2-2, 3 runs, 2 RBI), Hydi Boyd (2-2, 2 runs, RBI), Presley Wall (3-3, 2 runs, 4 RBI), Cadence Spangler (1-2, 2 runs, 1 RBI), Anslee Woods (1-1, 2 RBI), and Jaleigh Martin (1-1, run, RBI) all recorded hits in the game for the Lady Cougars.

Wall (2 doubles), Woods (double), Adams (double), Smith (double), Underwood (double, triple), DeMent (triple) and Fitzergerald (home run) all recorded extra base hits.

Lantrip picked up the win in the circle for the Lady Cougars, allowing just one run and walking two while striking out three in 3.0 innings of action.

By T. Scott Boatright

The Simsboro softball team came out and put the pedal to the metal with wheels smoking and pitcher Carlei Wheeler in the driver’s seat as the 15th-seeded Lady Tigers roared to a 10-3 win over 18th-seed Evans Friday night in the opening round of the Division V Nonselect school playoffs Friday.

Wheeler started out strong, facing only three Lady Eagle batters in the top of the first inning, fanning two of them.

By the time it was all over Wheeler had struck out 16 Evans batters and thrown a no hitter through four innings.

Simsboro jumped out to a 2-0 advantage in the bottom half of the opening stanza with leadoff batter Callie Harrison scoring the first run off a passed ball before Jacoya Lewis singled and who one out later scored when Kaylea Murphy reached first off an Evans error..

Harrison led off the top of the third and scored off a Wheeler single before Wheeled rounded the rest of the bases on a trio of wild pitches to put the Lady Tigers on top 4-0.

After striking out 11 batters into the fifth, the wheels got off balance for a bit for the Simsboro pitcher as Evans plated a pair of runs to cut the Simsboro lead to 4-2 through four-and-a-half innings.

But the Lady Tigers countered with three runs in the bottom of the fifth inning as Harrison, Lewis and Wheeler all scored with Wheeler, Murphy and Ciara Caldwell each notching an RBI.

Trailing 7-2 going into the top of the sixth stanza Wheeler hit a batter before giving up an RBI double as the Lady Eagles cut the Simsboro lead to 7-3.

But that’s when Wheeler floored it again, striking out three of the next four batters she faced to work her way out of the jam.

“I realized I had to make some adjustments,” Wheeler said. “In a game, sometimes during a game my mechanics kind of mess up and get off track, and when that happens I slow down and focus on my mechanics.

“Then after making those adjustments and feeling my mechanics coming back, I can pick the speed back up. Once I feel those mechanics get better and back in the groove, I pick my speed back up.”

Wheeler’s performance, including striking out the only three batters she faced in the top of the seven inning, wasn’t a surprise for Simsboro coach Payton Bond.

“She’s got a really good head on her shoulders and knows how to harness that energy and channel it when we need it and not let it kind of fly off the wheels,” Bond said about his junior pitcher. “She just locked in and that just shows the maturity she’s gained as the years have gone by. Maybe in the past she couldn’t have, whereas this year she is able to do that.”

Bond said having Lewis behind the plate catching for Wheeler has played a big role in his team’s chalking up a 19-10 record so far this season.

“They’re best friends,” Bond said. “They’re walking the halls together and going to class together. Just to be able to have that kind of relationship — they’ve been together since the seventh grade before I got here — I knew they were going to be cornerstones for me to build around.

“And they do a great job of that. I’ve got a younger team. I’ve got a freshman at third base. I’m playing an eighth grader and a seventh grader, a freshman in right field and an eighth grader at shortstop. We’re young. So just to be able to have those two mentor them and show these younger girls that we’re never really out of it and that if the others can make those players, those two will have their back. Just make the next play. We’ve built on that all year. So to see that all come together puts a smile on my face.”

Simsboro added its final three runs in the bottom of the sixth inning with Wheeler hitting a two-RBI triple before Murphy knocked in the final run.

The win was especially sweet for Bond, who saw his Lady Tigers start strong in their playoff opener last season before falling 10-3 at Hicks.

“Carli doesn’t allow a hit until the fourth inning and gets 16 Ks, after seeing her do so well during the regular season, it was just nice to see her get this one — a big one — under her belt,;” Bond said. “Last year (in the playoff game at Hicks) she started out hot — she had a no hitter going into the third and we just fell apart in the middle.

“So to see us play a full game around her and see our bats come alive, too, was something we wanted — just keep our foot down on the pedal and never stop.Being able to execute a bunt and run there at the end and move the runs around, that was big. This was an entire team win. Together we all did this, and I’m proud of every one of them.”

Next up for Simsboro, which chalked up its first postseason win since 2018 with the victory over Evans, will be a second-round game at No. 2 seed Zwolle in a game Bond hopes will be played on Tuesday to give his team Monday to hold practice.

“We knew we had to handle this one first, but Zwolle lost a big one to Stanley in district play,” Bond said. “We beat Stanley last weekend. So just to be able to see that we’ve beaten teams that have beaten them, we’re ready to go. We’re fired up.

“So we were excited to be there when we saw that (bracket) draw. Even though it could have been a third shot at Choudrant, we wanted Zwolle because we feel we can beat them. We wanted that challenge. The road runs through them and I’m excited to see where it ends up next week.”

By T. Scott Batright

GRAMBLING — Water service for all of the city of Grambling will be shut off at 9 a.m. Monday to repair a large leak.

The reason for shutting off all city water lines is to repair a broken two-inch water line on the eastern corner of the intersection of Martin Luther King Jr. Drive and Main Street, across the street from Gallot’s Barber Shop.

A notification sent out from the city to residents says the water could be cut off from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., but Grambling Mayor Alvin Bradley said he hopes that service will be restored before that.

“We don’t like inconveniencing anyone, but for safety reasons because of the high water pressure — we don’t want anyone working on the line to be injured — doing it that way would be the best way to do it.

“Now, there is some hope a fix will only take three or hours, but we won’t know for sure until the workers get down to trying to make the fix and see how bad it is. It’s been leaking for weeks now and if you look, you can see the water running at a good rate, so it’s a fix that has to be made.”

After water service is restored, there will be a mandatory boil order in place for at least a couple of days.

That boil order is necessary because pressure allows treated water running through a line, which includes decontaminants such as chlorine, to flow through the pipes without any outside contamination seeping in along the way.

When water lines are shut off or even when pressure drops below acceptable levels, old underground pipes could have cracks and holes that allow groundwater to seep into the water system. Some of that groundwater can carry harmful bacteria, bacteria that can only be eliminated by boiling the water.

“The boil order usually takes two or three days to be lifted because samples have to be taken throughout the system and then sent off to be tested to make sure there is no contamination,” Bradley said. “We have to send the samples off to be tested and it usually takes a couple of days to get the results back.

“As soon as we know the water is not contaminated and safe, the boil order will be lifted.”

By Malcolm Butler

While athletics usually takes the spotlight for signing day events, the academic side took its turn Thursday as 14 Choudrant High School seniors signed academic scholarships during an event held at the school’s auditorium.

“We are so proud of all of these students,” said Choudrant Principal Chris Jones. “They have worked countless hours to earn the grades that got them these academic scholarships. They have all been active on our campus at CHS. They have all been members of the Beta Club, Student Council, basketball, softball, track, and cheerleaders.”

The group included 11 students who will further their academic careers at Louisiana Tech, two at Northwestern State and one at ULM.

“I am grateful that I get to come to work with these students every day and another 390 just like them. They take care of their business in the classroom and in extracurricular activities. Events like this are a testament to these kids, their parents, and the teachers that pour into them every day.”

Payton Antley signed the Academic Merit Scholarship from the University of Louisiana Monroe. He is planning to major in kinesiology and pursue a career as an Occupational Therapist.

Ava Collinsworth signed the Louisiana Scholars College Scholarship Package from Northwestern State University. She is planning to major in Actuarial Science and Art History and plans to pursue a career as an Actuary.

Katee Brown accepted the Presidential Honors Scholarship from Northwestern State University. She is planning to major in Interior Design and plans to pursue a career as an Interior Designer.

Bo Collinsworth accepted the Outstanding Student Scholarship from Louisiana Tech University. He is planning to major in Mechanical Engineering and plans to pursue a career as an Engineer.

Ashton Boudreaux signed the Outstanding Student Scholarship from Louisiana Tech University. He is planning to major in Computer Information Systems and plans to pursue a career as an Information Technologist.

Hayden Chreene accepted the Outstanding Student Scholarship from Louisiana Tech University. He is planning to major in cyber engineering and pursue a career as a software developer.

Michael Jones signed the Outstanding Student Scholarship from Louisiana Tech University. He is planning to major in aviation and pursue a career as a pilot.

Tanya Mina accepted the Presidential Choice Counselor Scholarship from Louisiana Tech University. She is planning to major in Pre-Law and plans to pursue a career as an attorney.

Jadon Newton signed the Outstanding Student Scholarship from Louisiana Tech University. He is planning to major in Cyber Engineering and plans to pursue a career as a Computer Engineer.

Kadence Nugent accepted the Outstanding Student Scholarship from Louisiana Tech University. She is planning to major in Education and plans to pursue a career in early childhood education.

Trinity Richardson accepted the Outstanding Student Scholarship from Louisiana Tech University. She is planning to major in biology with a minor in psychology and then plans to attend medical school and ultimately to pursue a career as a psychiatrist.

Saylor Smith signed the Counselor’s Choice Scholarship from Louisiana Tech University. Smith is planning to major in Business.

TJ Smith accepted the Presidential Choice Scholarship and the Forestry Presidential Scholarship from Louisiana Tech University. He is planning to major in Forestry and plans to pursue a career as a Game Warden.

Analise Stevenson accepted the Counselor’s Choice Scholarship from Louisiana Tech University. She is planning to major in Interior Design and plans to pursue a career as an Interior Designer.

Ruston Police arrested a man Sunday afternoon after officers responded to a report of an assault on Davis Boulevard.

Officers were told Carlton D. Williams, 42, of Ruston had swung a golf club at the victim. The victim and three witnesses were interviewed before Williams was placed under arrest for aggravated assault.

A warrant was located for Williams’s arrest for failure to appear in Ruston City Court on a simple criminal damage to property charge. He was booked at the Lincoln Parish Detention Center.

This information has been provided by a law enforcement agency as public information. Persons named or shown in photographs or video as suspects in a criminal investigation, or arrested and charged with a crime, have not been convicted of any criminal offense and are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Courtesy of LA Tech University Communications

Students from Louisiana Tech’s chapter of Sigma Tau Delta, the international English honor society, presented both their scholarly research and their creative works to members of the organization from around the globe at the Centennial Conference in St. Louis, Mo., the first week of April.

Students chosen to present at the convention participated in panels focused on Victorian Literature, Shakespeare, Poetry, Contemporary American Literature, and Modernism.

In addition to presenting, the students had the opportunity to meet authors Maryfrances Wagner and Carl Phillips, explore St. Louis, network with peers across the country, and attend a poetry reading at the Pulitzer Arts Institute featuring Franklin K.R Cline and Sky Hopinka.

The Tech chapter thanks the University’s College of Liberal Arts for funding the trip.

Tech’s Sigma Tau Delta chapter plans to attend next year’s convention, scheduled March 19-22 in Pittsburgh, Pa.

The Lincoln Parish Journal is providing our local schools an opportunity to submit nuggets from what’s going on at their respective schools in order to get more information out on its students, faculty and staff. The information below comes directly from those schools. Any school wishing to provide content each week can email to LPJNewsLA@gmail.com.

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Cedar Creek High School

Ag Science Class Place at LA Tech FFA Event: Students in agriscience participated in the FFA career development event at Louisiana Tech. Cedar Creek qualified two teams for State in the poultry event, placing first and third with Jayden Gouedy earning High Individual.

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Choudrant High School

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Lincoln Prep High School

The Lincoln Preparatory School garden is located on 1/4 acre of land on the east side of the school. The garden is part of the USDA No-Till Organic Market Garden grant which was awarded to 20 farmers in the state of Louisiana. In partnership with the Ross Lynn Foundation and Campti Field of Dreams, the aim of the garden is to be regenerative, intensive, productive, and educational. For more information and the opportunity to volunteer for work days, please contact jbourgeois@lincolnprep.school.

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Ruston High School

Simsboro High School

On Tuesday, April 9th our school hosted the monthly Lincoln Parish School Board meeting. Three of our seniors, Harley Dowing, Beatriz Hernandez, and Taylor Hill, took the members on a tour of the school before escorting them to lunch provided by our cafeteria. These ladies did a great job representing our school and shared wonderful information about our teachers and programs that are offered on campus. We are grateful to have hosted this great team of leaders in our school district.

The Lincoln Parish Journal is providing our local schools an opportunity to submit nuggets from what’s going on at their respective schools in order to get more information out on its students, faculty and staff. The information below comes directly from those schools. Any school wishing to provide content each week can email to LPJNewsLA@gmail.com.

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Cedar Creek School

2024 Eclipse Day: Cedar Creek students celebrated the 2024 Eclipse with eclipse themed projects, activities, and a viewing party on the playground.

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Dubach Elementary School

Monday, April 8th our students enjoyed views of the solar eclipse.

LEAP Pep Rally will be held Monday, April 15

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Simsboro Elementary & Junior High School

The Simsboro Elementary Fitness Team competed in the annual Lincoln Parish Fitness meet at the Ruston High School girls’ gym and outdoor track. The team consisted of all fifth graders this year: Abby Tecuateque-Arias, Terrell Davis, Johnavan Pastor, and Serenity Vasquez. The team competed in seven events: pull ups, shuttle run, curl ups, sit and reach, standing long jump, 50 yard dash, and 600 meter run.

In March of this year, Louisiana Tech’s newest vice president and director of athletics Ryan Ivey began his tenure at the helm of the department and recently sat down with reporters at the LPJ for a Q&A. The conversation has been lightly edited for continuity.

Click here for Part 1.

LPJ: “In the meetings you mentioned before, you said there are some recurring themes. Let’s start with the positives. What are the strengths that you’ve identified for Louisiana Tech’s athletics department?”

Ivey: “The people is our overall number one strength and positive. That’s people within the department, people outside of the department, and people on campus. And I’ve said for a long time, people make the place. If you get good people around you, then you’ve got a chance to have success. That’s been indicative of this athletics department for a long time, that it’s been able to have success because they’ve had really good people, really in and out of it. So that’s been first and foremost.

“Number two, I think people recognize the history and tradition that Louisiana Tech has from an athletic department standpoint in the brand that has been built as a byproduct of that success. That, to me, is something that you can’t replicate, right? You may have all the money in the world, but if you can’t replicate a strong brand in the marketplace and you can’t replicate a history of success and a proven track record of success, then it’s hard for people to really get on board with you.

“I think our location or location geography has come up quite a bit as a positive, and especially from a recruiting standpoint mean, think about where we are. We’re located really five to six hours from a lot of quality student athletes. Think about the state of Louisiana, and think about East Texas, Houston, Dallas. You can get into Mississippi from a junior college standpoint, right? You can get into Texas from a junior college standpoint and get up in Kansas and in Arkansas. So you’ve got the opportunity, I think, to have a broad range and a good radius of opportunities to really get quality student athletes that can help us have success from that standpoint.

“And then probably the last one, it’s just the opportunity that we have. And a lot of people have talked about that they feel like Tech is on the cusp of turning into something really, really successful. I think that is indicative to (Louisiana Tech president Dr. Jim Henderson) and the vision that he has right now for for the entire university. I think there’s energy and momentum around that. Me, coming in new and seeing it from a different perspective, I think is is energizing some folks, as well. I think ultimately I think there’s a synergy that’s starting to happen that I think is going to allow us to have success because I truly believe this athletics is the front porch of the institution. Now, anybody that’s been in real estate, you’ll know that you can’t sell a front porch without a house. So that house that we’re connected to is our institution. And what are we doing to help create opportunities for growth within the institution and how we’re creating opportunities for exposure and awareness.”

LPJ:“How about some of the pressure points you’re hearing, as well?”

Ivey: “I think first and foremost is just the college athletics in general today, and what’s going on in the landscape and the ever-evolving landscape. That’s a challenge for us being able to to manage name, image and likeness (NIL), being able to manage the transfer portal, being able to manage what student athlete compensation is — just understanding that there is something coming. And we’ve got to make sure that we’re we’re seeing that right and trying to see around the curve with it, but also knowing that we’re not going to be all things to all people too, right? We are who we’re going to be, and that’s okay. I think that that’s been a challenge.

“I also think finances in general. I hear that quite a bit. I hear “Well, you know, we don’t have enough. We need more.” Which is probably true across every unit on campus.So I’m certainly not saying that’s not something, but the question that I always ask in those meetings is are we utilizing what we have in an efficient, effective manner? Can we do something different? Can we change our approach in what we’re doing? We’ve got to make sure we’re being good stewards of the resources being provided to us. And I think that conversation is in there as well.

“Then, quite honestly, staffing comes up quite a bit — the need for more staff in the building, especially in our student athlete welfare areas. I think that’s something that we’ve got to address and making sure that we’re creating opportunities to have the appropriate staffing levels from a strength and conditioning standpoint, sport performance to sports medicine to our academic advisors and mental health access. We’ve got to make sure that we’re investing in our student athletes from a mental health standpoint, as well. All those things that touch our student athletes that allow to have success. And so we’ve got to make sure we’re investing in those areas.”

LPJ:“What are some short term things you are planning to address these areas?”

Ivey: “I think first and foremost, we really would like to try to create some opportunities for, for collaboration and partnership on campus. I call it utilizing the genius in the room and using the human resource capital that we have. There are things that we’re doing on campus right now that we may be able to partner with and have opportunities to help with our students, and it may not be the long term solution, but it could bridge the gap for us right now. So what are those opportunities on campus that we have with the subject matter experts in these fields, that can help us create and really enhance our student athlete experience? That’s first and foremost.

“I think the other thing is creating an opportunity for dialog and creating an opportunity for people to voice their opinions. If we can listen and create opportunities for open dialog, such as the Tech Talks that we’ll talk about here in a minute. We want to be listening and paying attention, making sure that we’re hearing what it’s going to take to make sure that we’re creating a good fan experience, for those in and around those that are coming, but also those that are consuming our product, that aren’t coming down to home events — what can we do to make sure that we’re creating opportunities for that? The example that we had was increasing the offerings that we had for baseball and softball on stream with ESPN+ — that was something important to me, and I think it was important to our staff, as well, to make sure that our people outside can make sure they’re consuming and having the opportunity to really watch our student athletes and teams compete in that area.

“I think as we continue to move forward and we look at revenue generation — that’s going to come in different forms in different fashions. So we’ve got to really look at it as an entire revenue generation unit. How are each of these, revenue generating tools that we have — how are they complementing one another, and what are we doing and making sure that we’re maximizing those? That’s going to take some time; it’s not going to happen overnight. I think if we can put those things in place and start to have success.

“The last thing I would tell you, I think it’s about trying to build relationships with our students as well. Think Kyle Kavanaugh (Louisiana Tech Associate Athletics Director of External Operations). He’s done a a marvelous job with the Student Engagement Committee. I had a chance to meet with them last week and went through some of my planning questions, and I heard their opinions on some things. I wanted to engage them at a rate that they feel like they’re being heard. Again, if they have that ownership and then hopefully we can create that opportunity where they want to come in and enjoy their time and enjoy their experience as a student here, knowing that athletics is a part of that experience.”

LPJ: “Would you talk a little more about your upcoming Tech Talk series?”

Ivey: “The genesis behind it and the idea is to create a series of opportunities that we can get in front of people and have some pointed conversations about specific areas that maybe affect our fan experience. One of the things that I’ve heard in the community and since I’ve been here is that we used to have a really robust tailgating experience that maybe has fallen by the wayside a little bit and has gone down. So naturally, I wanted to see what can we do to to start there right now? I think that was a good starting place for us, because I think it creates an opportunity for dialog across multiple people.

“And I know that not everybody will be able to come to Ruston for every Tech Talk, but we’ll figure out a ways to make sure that we’re connecting with those outside. But the idea is to just have that conversation. What is it that we’re doing right with tailgating? But what are the friction points, if you will, that creates barriers for entry, and if we can remove those friction points, we’ve got to make sure that we’re overcoming those things that prevent people from having a great experience. As we go over time, I hope, that these will continue across multiple platforms. And we’ll do itfor multiple different things. But I think right now, it’s about creating an opportunity for me to learn, and certainly get the input from others as well.”

LPJ:“Ryan, thank you for your time.”

I have a mouse in the house.

When you live in a rural setting in an old house, a mouse is a common house guest. I do all in my power to make the house unattractive to mice. I have a professional who comes monthly and makes the house uninviting to rodents. However, with a bathroom remodel going on, there have been ample opportunities to allow a mouse into the house.

I saw the mouse this morning. He looks to be well fed and happy. He was running the baseboards in the family room. I didn’t panic. I didn’t call the dogs. I got up and opened the backdoor. The mouse was headed toward the back door. I was going to hasten his exit from the living area. I was distracting the dogs as I watched the mouse head for the opened door.

Alas, the mouse and the dogs discovered each other, and the race was on. Funny thing about my dogs, they have little respect for the delicate arrangement of the furniture. Their only goal was that mouse. The mouse made a strategic error and ran down the hallway in the opposite direction. I’m not sure where the mouse ended up.

I know that when I go home this afternoon two things will be true. I will see the mouse again. I will see rearranged furniture as evidence of the canine rodent wars.

I’m pulling for the mouse!

I considered all options. I could call in the professional exterminators. I could bring a kitten into the house. The kitten would become a cat who would chase the mouse. The dogs would chase both the cat and the mouse and furniture would never be the same. My morning office musing was a consideration of making food and water available for the mouse. Once, when the kids were young, we had gerbils. They made babies about once a month! The kids and I would go to the woods around the Mount Mariah Methodist Church and set the baby gerbils free. I’m sure I have some gerbil houses and food dishes some place. For all I know, this mouse is several generations removed from those gerbils! I’m secretly rooting for the mouse, although I’m sure the dogs will take care of the matter.

I hope the mouse did not upset you. Here is what I want you to ponder. I’ll put it this way, I’m not responsible for the mouse being in the house, I am responsible for my reaction to the mouse being in the house.

When things happen to you, how do you respond?

That thing that just happened to you, is it a trial, a temptation, or a test? In the New Testament the same Greek word is translated all three ways. You see, the thing happening to you is often not your responsibility, but your reaction to event is your responsibility.

Is faith in Christ your default setting when there is a mouse in the house or when stuff happens to you?

By DOUG IRELAND, Journal Sports

AUGUSTA, Ga. – Choudrant resident Sam Burns has been fairly quiet recently on the PGA Tour after beginning 2024 with a sizzling start on the West Coast, but if he can rally today, he could be one of the big stories this weekend at The Masters.

Golf’s first major championship teed off behind schedule Thursday at Augusta National, delayed for nearly three hours by stormy weather that swept through the South over the last couple of days.

It resulted in nine three-man pairings, including those of Burns, Tiger Woods and Brooks Koepka, unable to finish the opening round due to darkness. They will return to the course today at 7:51 EDT, then begin the second round later.

Burns stands at 3-over through 14 holes. He birdied Nos. 2 and 3, but had a double-bogey on the next hole and bogeyed Nos. 5, 10 and 11. He left a birdie putt a couple inches short on his final hole and will resume on the par-5 15^th today, with four holes to finish in Round 1.

The top 50 players and ties in the 89-man field advance to weekend play. Early projections place the cut at 1-over.

It’s a 10:06 EDT second-round start for Burns, paired with 2013 Masters champ Adam Scott and Cameron Young, who Burns routed 6&5 to win the 2023 World Match Play Championship, the most recent of his five PGA Tour victories.

He had four Top 10 finishes in his first five starts this season during the Tour’s West Coast swing. Burns has banked $2.1 million in winnings this season and is almost to $24 million in his career since joining the PGA Tour in 2019.

As has been the case for the past two years in Augusta, Burns is sharing a rental house with his closest friend on tour, world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler. Both are expecting their firstborns, and each have said if they get the call from their wives, they’ll drop out and head home.

That day is imminent for Burns, whose wife Caroline, like him a Shreveport native, is expected to give birth next week. Scheffler’s wife is due in three weeks but he, too, has made it clear he’s bolting for home if she calls.

Discarding that potential storyline, Burns was the off-the-radar pick to challenge for the win by CBS Sports golf analyst Patrick McDonald. Given 50-1 odds (everybody in the field but Scheffler is no better than 20-1), Burns earned McDonald’s endorsem*nt with his early-season brilliance and his driving distance and putting accuracy.

Burns, who plays out of Squire Creek Country Club, is ninth on tour in putting average (1.70 per hole) and first in putts of three feet or less, making all 255 this year in his 21 rounds. He’s also third in accuracy on approaches from 125-150 yards, hitting it to an average of 19 feet, 9 inches. The former Calvary Baptist and LSU star is ninth in total driving and remains one of the game’s longest off the tee, while ranking second in birdie average (4.79 per 18 holes).

The 27-year-old is 22^nd in the Official World Golf Rankings, coming off his first USA Ryder Cup appearance last year, and stands 24^th in the PGA Tour’s FedEx Cup standings.

He was 29^th at last year’s Masters after missing the cut in his first appearance in 2022.

Contact Doug at sbjdoug@gmail.com

A Grambling man wanted by the Lincoln Parish Narcotics Enforcement Team was located Thursday when his vehicle with excessively dark window tint was stopped Thursday.

Officers of LPNET stopped a white Toyota for improper window tint about 6:30 p.m. Thursday night. They recognized the driver, Brandon Walker, 39, as a person wanted on several warrants.

He was arrested and booked at the Lincoln Parish Detention Center for two counts of distribution of crack cocaine and two counts of violation of the controlled substance law establishing drug free zones. His bail was set at $90,000.

This information has been provided by a law enforcement agency as public information. Persons named or shown in photographs or video as suspects in a criminal investigation, or arrested and charged with a crime, have not been convicted of any criminal offense and are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Each Monday and Friday, the Lincoln Parish Journal will post a list of non-for-profit upcoming events happening in the parish. If you would like to add your event to this list or advertise your for-profit events, please email us at lpjnewsla@gmail.com.

Saturday, April 13
Piney Hills Classic (Lincoln Parish Park)
8:30-11:30 a.m.: Hazardous waste material and recycling collection (2609 Farmerville St.)
9 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Ruston Farmers Market
9 a.m. to 5 p.m.: Ruston Chess Knights tournament (Argent Financial Group)
Noon: GSU softball
3 p.m.: GSU baseball

Sunday, April 14
Piney Hills Classic (Lincoln Parish Park)
1 p.m.: GSU baseball