LOOSE BALL—Independence shortstop Sheldon McDonald scrambles after the ball after the relay from the outfield got through to allow Amite baserunner Pierre Warford to reach second safely following an outfield error Thursday. Looking on is Tigers second baseman Marc Smith (7). The host Warriors defeated the Tigers 10-4.

The playoff race in District 10-3A became a little clearer Thursday, but there's still work to be done before it all settles out.

The first-place Loranger Wolves blasted four home runs en route to claiming at least a tie for the District 10-3A championship Thursday night with an 18-5 win over the home-standing Lumberjacks.

The win kept the Wolves (19-10, 8-0) perfect in district and left them with a two-game lead with two games left to play.

"This has been our goal from day one and now we want to finish undefeated in district," said Wolves head coach Jason Helmstetter. "The guys have done a great job all season focusing on the game they are playing and not looking back or looking ahead."

While Loranger was clinching first place, Amite was taking another step toward securing second. It wasn't easy — it never is when it's Independence vs. Amite — but the Warriors outslugged the error-prone Tigers 10-4 at the Warrior diamond.

"It's never easy," sighed Warriors coach Jasper Bryant. "Records mean nothing in this game. Even the first time we played them it was 9-4. They've really improved. They battle you. They put pressure on us but we came through with the big hits."

The Warriors (10-8, 6-2) boosted their lead over third-place Albany to two games with two games left — at home against Bogalusa Tuesday and at Jewel Sumner next Thursday.

"This doesn't clinch anything," Bryant said before he knew Sumner had pulled off an upset of Albany (4-4, 8-19). "It's still wide open for second place. We've got to earn it — especially the hard way."

It was another game effort by the Tigers (3-18, 0-7) — but another loss.

"We do some good things, but too many errors," Indy coach Sporty Davis said of the Tigers, who made eight of them. "We've had to feed some young guys to the fire because of injuries and other situations. A lot of times it seems like we're just one play away."

Meanwhile Sumner (6-9, 4-4) blanked Albany 5-0, getting a two-hitter from hurler Clint McDaniel. The loss dropped the Hornets into a tie for third place with the Cowboys.

"Their offense showed up and ours didn't," Hornets head coach Chad Goulas said. "Some of the credit goes to the McDaniel kid."

In area softball action, District 10-3A champion Albany (25-10) got the better of parish rival French Settlement (18-11) with a 1-0 decision. The Lady Hornets picked up a run in the bottom of the six to break up Brooke Aydell's shutout bid.

"It's always a close game when we play them," Albany head coach Jamie Flanagan said. "Every time we play them, it's a one-run game. It's the kind of game you'll face when you get into the playoffs."

PREP BASEBALL

Amite 10, Independence 4

AMITE—The Warriors were never headed after a three-run first, all three scoring with two outs when Chris Petitto singled, Anthony Smith cranked an RBI triple, and Pierre Warford followed with an RBI single.

The Tigers made a run in their second, getting two back when Marc Smith singled, Zach Mannino reached on a fielder's choice, and Andrew Coslan's sacrifice set up a two-run triple by Chris Carter.

But Amite answered with two in its half when Kyle Bracey singled home Jordan Wilkinson and scored himself on an outfield error to make it 5-2. Indy pulled within 5-4 in the fifth on an RBI single by Justin Owens and an RBI ground out by Cody Morgan.

But Amite put it away with a three-run fifth on a three-run homer by winning pitcher Eric Sevin. The Warriors capped the scoring with two in the sixth on RBI singles by Steven Mercier and Petitto.

Mercier relieved Sevin in the fifth with the he bases loaded and one out and got the final two outs, finishing the game by allowing two hits and no runs with five strikeouts.

"We had the momentum going and they gave it to their ace and he did the job," Davis said. "That was a good move on their part."

Petitto finished 3-for-4 with one RBI and two runs scored, Bracey went 2-for-4 with one RBI, and Sevin was 2-for-4 with four RBI for the Warriors. Carter reached base all four times up, going 2-for-3 with two RBI for Indy. Owens finished 2-for-4 with one RBI.

—Reported by John Lenz

Loranger 18, Bogalusa 5

BOGALUSA—Kyle Wheeler paced a fast start by Loranger with a three-run dinger over the left field fence to put the Wolves up 4-0 in the first. The junior catcher would finish 2-for-3 with four RBIs.

Taylor Abdalla, Jake Artigue and Kyle Kendrick accounted for the other three home runs, with Kenderick hitting a two-run shot while his teammates hit solo shots.

Junior Bryce Himel pitched a complete game for Loranger giving up three earned runs and six hits while striking out four.

The Wolves travel to Franklinton Saturday for a non-league game and finish up the regular season next week with district games against Albany and Independence.

—Reported by Gary Lee

PREP SOFTBALL

Albany 1, Fr. Settlement 0

ALBANY — Albany starting pitcher Hannah Gill and Brooke Aydell put up shutouts through five complete innings until the sixth inning. Gill blanked the Lady Lions in the top of the sixth, setting the table for the Lady Hornets to take the lead in the bottom of the sixth.

"A couple of times early in the game, we left runners on base," Flanagan said. "We just couldn't get the clutch hit. She (Aydell) did a good job of keeping us off-balance."

Shelby Colkmire singled off of Aydell and Breezie Bankston came on as a courtesy runner. Bankston reached second on a fielder's choice before Jessica Landry singled to right to score Bankston and break up the shutout.

Gill closed the door in the top of the seventh to seal the win.

Gill struck out six, walked one and allowed four hits in a complete game while Aydell struck out five, walked two and gave up five hits in the loss.

"There wasn't an over-abundant number of strikeouts," Flanagan said. "Both teams played great defensively, and we made plays when we had to. Hopefully, this will carry over into the playoffs."