Rams pay back El Dorado

MAGNOLIA -- With two of its four losses this season coming at the hands of El Dorado, Lakeside had revenge on its mind in Monday's matchup with the Wildcats.

The Rams (17-4, 8-1 in 5A/6A-6) gained an early jump, scoring seven runs in the first three innings before rolling to an 11-3 win at Southern Arkansas University.

Sophomore Gage Golden earned the win, allowing just one run on two hits with two walks and six strikeouts in 4 1/3 innings pitched.

Junior Jesus Minjarez pitched 2 2/3 innings of relief, surrendering two runs on two hits with two walks and five strikeouts.

Batting third in the order, sophomore Ethan Bates continued to be a run producer for the Rams. The University of Arkansas verbal commit had two hits in three at-bats, finishing with one single, one home run, four RBIs and two runs scored.

Freshman Ethan Cevela had a team-high three hits and two RBIs in five at-bats, while Brady Prince and Justin Scott each had two hits in five plate appearances.

Adam Simmons suffered the loss for El Dorado (15-5, 4-1) with four runs allowed on three hits in less than one inning of work, issuing two walks while striking out none.

Brendan Jones had two singles and one RBI in three at-bats for the Wildcats, and Chase Webb finished with one double and two runs scored from the leadoff spot.

After hosting Camden Fairview (6-12, 3-6) on Tuesday, the Rams are scheduled to travel to Magnolia (12-4, 7-2) on Friday and play at De Queen (9-9, 5-4) on Monday.

MOUNTAIN PINE-POYEN

POYEN -- Mountain Pine's six-run second inning gave the Red Devils enough of a cushion to withstand a late comeback bid by Poyen Monday night.

The Red Devils (6-9, 3-3 in 1A/2A-12) held a 7-2 lead at the end of the second frame, later adding two runs in the top of the fourth to stretch the advantage to 9-2.

Poyen (11-9, 5-2) showed signs of life with two runs in the bottom of the sixth, but Mountain Pine bounced back with a scoreless final inning to preserve a 9-4 win.

"I was proud of my boys for making their adjustments at the plate against the four different pitchers Poyen threw at us," Mountain Pine coach Joseph Alderman said. "We needed this game to keep our bats going heading into the district tournament next week."

Senior Matthew Herron did a little bit of everything for the Red Devils. Herron pitched 5 2/3 innings, allowing just two runs on one hit with four walks and 11 strikeouts, adding a home run and three RBIs at the plate.

"Matt Herron did a great job on the mound as we expect," said Alderman. "He is making his adjustments at the plate at the right time and we need that to carry over."

Junior Josh Walpole had a team-high three hits in five at-bats, finishing with one triple, one RBI and three runs scored.

"Josh Walpole had a great night and got things started for us with his lead off triple," Alderman said.

Junior Jacob Farmer suffered the loss for the Indians, surrendering three runs on four hits with one walk and seven strikeouts in 3 2/3 innings pitched.

Freshman Brandon Reed had one hit, one walk and two RBIs in two at-bats for Poyen.

Mountain Pine is scheduled to close the regular season Thursday in a doubleheader against visiting Maumelle Charter (0-6, 0-4).

Crowder adds second OBU

women's basketball signing

ARKADELPHIA -- Ouachita Baptist head women's basketball coach Garry Crowder announced a second signing for the 2018-19 season.

Lake Hamilton's Taylor Wells signed with Ouachita on April 11. Her 98 3-pointers during her senior season broke the program's previous record set in 1989 and ranked 40th in the nation.

Wells was named all-conference and named to the Class 6A All-State Tournament Team in March. She was also a member of The Sentinel-Record's All-Garland County Second Team.

"We are very excited to add an outstanding shooting guard to our program," Crowder said. "Taylor is obviously one of the better 3-point shooters in the nation and we are looking forward to her bringing that talent to Ouachita."

Ouachita's other signee was Jessi Bennett, who played guard for Leonard High School in Texas. She averaged 14 points, six assists and five steals per game.

Bennett was named the 2018 District Co-Most Valuable Player, Texas Association of Basketball Coaches All-Region and a three-time All-Texomaland selection, including a first team nod her senior year. She was also the District Defensive Player of the Year after her sophomore season and she was named to the Academic All-State Team after her senior season.

"Jessi will be a great addition to the Ouachita Lady Tigers," Crowder said. "She is a versatile player, having played both guard positions in high school and at the AAU level. Bennett is also an outstanding student and quality person. We are excited she chose Ouachita."

Auburn hires Flanigan

as assistant coach

AUBURN, Ala. -- Auburn hired former Arkansas-Little Rock head basketball coach Wes Flanigan as an assistant.

Tigers coach Bruce Pearl announced the hiring of the ex-Auburn point guard on Monday.

Flanigan was a four-year starter at Auburn from 1993-97 and led the Southeastern Conference in assists as a junior.

He was fired from Arkansas-Little Rock in March after two seasons following a 7-25 season that set a program-record for losses in a season.

Flanigan was an assistant under Chris Beard for the 2015-16 team that went 30-5, won its first outright Sun Belt Conference title and defeated Purdue in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

He has also worked coached for UAB, Nebraska and Mississippi State.

Sports on 04/18/2018

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