Langston pitched a complete game, giving up just two hits and striking out a dozen batters.
“The rivalry games always have a little extra edge,” said LFO head coach Michael Brown. “I try to remind the kids this is just like any game because it’s a region game. But with Ridgeland being hot and all the extra hoopla this one meant a little more.”
LFO carried a 4-0 lead into the fifth inning on RBIs from Langston and Nate Rochester and a two-run homer by Michael Burkett.
Ridgeland (13-10, 6-2) picked up their run in the top of the fifth as the red-hot Gilliam broke up Langston’s no-hit bid with a RBI-double to score Michael Gay who reached on an error.
The inning ended when Jeremy Bankston singled and Gilliam was thrown out at home by Woodard’s throw from center.
Gilliam was initially called safe by the plate umpire, who then reversed the call by saying Rochester blocked the plate.
The Warriors added five more runs in their final two at-bats including home runs from Rochester and Ricky Wooten.
Rick Wilson took the loss for the Panthers who host Woodland Friday with first-pitch set for 5:55 p.m.
Misty Martin of the Catoosa County News contributed to this story
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