The Airline Vikings moved within a game of first-place Benton with a 3-0 victory over Haughton Thursday in the first of their two-game series at Haughton.
Airline improved to 19-11 overall and 11-3 in district. Benton, which has clinched a share of the title, fell to Natchitoches Central 2-0 in the first game of their series at Benton. The Tigers dropped to 26-5-3 and 12-2.
Both teams have one district game left.
Benton can still win the championship outright with a victory over Natchitoches Central (20-11, 9-5) Saturday at 1 in Natchitoches or an Airline loss to Haughton (19-13, 7-7). The Vikings and Bucs are scheduled to complete their series Saturday at 1 at Airline.
If Benton loses and Airline wins, the Tigers and Vikings will finish in a tie for first.
In another District 1-5A game Thursday, Parkway fell to Byrd 12-11 at Byrd’s field at LSUS.
In non-district games, Plain Dealing defeated Southwood 24-5 at Southwood and Bossier fell to Homer 20-2 at the Bearkats’ field at Rusheon.
At Haughton, Airline starter Leo Heng allowed two hits, struck out eight and walked three in 5 2/3 innings. Silas Endris got the final out of the sixth on a popup with the bases loaded. With Drew Robinson on the mound in the seventh, the Vikings turned a double play after an error. The game ended with a groundout.
Airline scored one in the first. Jack Henry Smith led off with a single and Brock Jordan was hit by a pitch. Austin Smith singled to load the bases. Drake Bellew was hit by a pitch.
The Vikings scored their final two runs in the fourth.
Zach Kolniak singled with one out and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Drew Robinson walked. Kolniak stole third and scored on a groundout by Jack Henry Smith. Robinson advanced to second and scored on a single by Jordan.
Kolniak went 2-for-3 with a double. Carter also had a double.
At Benton, the Tigers had a chance to take the lead in the sixth with runners at second and third and one out, but they were unable to capitalize.
Natchitoches Central scored two on the top of the seventh thanks to two singles, an error and a walk.
Benton started Cole Snell didn’t allow an earned run in 6 1/3 innings. He gave up two hits, struck out nine and walked two.
Body Turnipseed and Kannon Greer had one double each.
Natchitoches Central starter Eli Walker allowed four hits In five innings.
At LSUS, Parkway led 11-5 going into the bottom of the seventh. Byrd rallied with seven to win it..
Hunter Schneider went 3-for-3 with a triple and three RBI. Tristan Sedberry went 3-for-4 with a triple and two RBI.
Dallas Loche went 3-for-5 with a double and two RBI. Peyton Rayner went 2-for-4 with a triple, double and two RBI.
Parkway (13-17, 4-10) and Byrd (9-20, 3-11) are scheduled to complete the series Saturday at 1 at Parkway.
At Southwood, Bo Bailey had a triple and double in the three-inning game. The Lions took advantage of 21 walks.
Bailey struck out five in two innings. Jerry Harris struck out two in one.
Plain Dealing (12-10) visits Haynesville Friday at 5.
At Rusheon, Mike Thomas hit a home run. Bossier (7-10) visits Georgetown Monday at 5.