Warren Easton wins first state baseball playoff game in 46 years

On a night where Riverdale ended a 29-year drought without a postseason win, Warren Easton upstaged the Rebels.

The 18th-seeded Eagles ended a 46-year drought, whipping 15th seed Minden 8-3 on the road Tuesday night.

Warren Easton scored five runs in the top of the third inning to take a 5-0 lead and maintained the margin throughout for the victory. Minden answered with two runs in the bottom of the third to make it 5-2 but the Eagles added three runs in the fourth inning to make it 8-2 before Minden scored its final run in the bottom of the fourth.

Jalen Rainey pitched the first two innings, allowing two runs, before Larry Barabino came on in the third inning and pitched five innings to get the win, allowing one run.

Torey Belton and Antoine Hawkins each had two RBI to pace the Eagles offense.

“The kids came out and played excellent defense, we hit the ball well and we got excellent pitching from our ace in Barabino,” said Easton associate head coach Bernard Dyer. “Playing tough teams during the year, which we did by design, really prepared us well. They had a huge crowd that hooped and hollered throughout and the kids handled it extremely well. It is great to finally end the playoff drought. The kids earned it and our school is proud and we hope to accomplish more.”

Warren Easton (24-7) will unexpectedly get to host 31st seed Westgate, who went on the road and shocked second seed Tioga 5-2.

The Eagles will play Friday night at 6 p.m. at RBI Field before playing Saturday afternoon at noon in game two. The if necessary game is set for 3 p.m. Saturday afternoon.

The bracket truly opened up for Warren Easton Tuesday. Not only did Tioga lose but 23rd seed Rayne upset 10th seed Salmen 3-1 and 26th seed Franklin Parish surprised seventh seed Cecilia 14-7.

“Getting a chance to play at home is a blessing,” Dyer said. “It’s lining up for us to play perhaps at home until the Final Four to get to Sulphur. We’re the highest seed on our side of the bracket now. We just have to take care of our business.”

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