The Bossier Phillies are one win away from securing their third consecutive American Legion Baseball State Tournament championship after a nail‑biting 8‑7 victory over the Crowley Millers that stretched into the 11th inning.
Championship on the Horizon
What began as a tightly contested duel turned into a test of endurance, with the Millers tying the game at six in the bottom of the seventh before the Phillies struck back in the top of the 11th. Griffin Sibley opened the extra frame with a leadoff double, and a wild pitch soon after sent him home, giving Bossier a fragile 7‑6 edge.
Bryson Gates, the former Benton star and 2026 All‑District 1‑5A Pitcher of the Year, then shut the door. He induced two groundouts to start the bottom half before finishing the game with another groundout, sealing the win and showcasing the grit that defined the night.
Offensively, Cooper Holmes delivered a leadoff home run in the third inning and added four RBI, while Jackson Waller’s seventh‑inning leadoff homer sparked a rally that kept the Phillies afloat. Nate Cervantes contributed a 2‑for‑3 performance with an RBI and two walks, and Cole Snell’s steady presence at the plate added a single and three walks.
The pitching duel was equally compelling. Starter Connor Yates scattered six hits over six innings, striking out three and walking four before handing the ball to Holmes, who recorded a single out before Gates took the mound and closed out the game.
With the series now set against Gauthier Amedee, the Phillies will meet their rivals at 4 p.m. Wednesday in the championship round. Should Gauthier Amedee prevail, a decisive showdown will follow at 7 p.m., offering Bossier a chance to cement a historic three‑peat.
The stakes extend beyond a single game; a third straight title would place the Phillies among the most dominant dynasties in Louisiana amateur baseball history. Their recent victory over Gauthier Amedee on Monday, a 5‑1 win in the winners’ bracket final, underscores the team’s consistency and depth.
Fans and teammates alike praised the collective effort, noting that every player from Landon Martin to the veteran Yates contributed to a performance that felt more like a championship than a regular‑season contest.