SHREVEPORT – The Crowley Millers were handed their first defeat Sunday, falling 3-1 to Ruston in their final game of the Captain Shreve tournament.

The Millers dropped to 18-1 on the year with the loss.

Ruston, an 18-year old Senior Little League team comprised of players from numerous schools including Sterlington, St. Fredrick, Ouachita and Rayville, took advantage of three Crowley errors in the fourth inning to take a 1-0 advantage before tagging on their final two runs in the top of the seventh.

In the fourth, Landen Williams singled off Miller hurler Austin Robichaux and then moved all the way to third on an errant throw on a sacrifice bunt. Williams scored one batter later on a sacrifice fly by Dillon Berry.

The Millers made two more errors in the frame, but were able to get out of the bases-loaded jam when Robichaux got Ryan Gephardt to ground out to second base.

Ruston pitcher Josh Asher, who picked up the win for Rayville two years ago against Crowley High in the first round of the Class AAA playoffs, made the lead stand, giving the Millers fits over the final four innings.

Asher gave up a one-out double in the bottom of the fourth before striking out the next two batters. He struck out five in the last three innings, leaving four Miller runners stranded.

Ruston tacked on two more runs in the top of the seventh courtesy of two hits, two walks and a misplayed ball in the outfield.

The local’s lone run crossed the plate in the bottom of the frame when Ryan Leonards reached base on a two-out walk and scored on a double to the left center field gap by Beau Desselle.

All three of Ruston’s runs were charged to Robichaux, who gave up five hits and walked six in six and a third innings of work.

Asher logged the victory, giving up six hits and four walks. He struck out seven.

Beau and Justin Desselle each doubled in the loss while Leonards, Mitch Corzine, Frem Reggie, and Matt Savoie each had a single.

In the tournament opener, the Millers rallied from a 4-2 deficit, scoring four runs in the final three innings to upend Byrd, 6-5, Friday night.

In their first game Saturday, the Millers gave up four runs in the top of the first inning against Byrd’s Junior Legion team before responding with seven runs of their own in the bottom of the frame.

The Millers went on to score six more runs in the next four innings to claim a 13-9 victory.

The locals rounded out the day with a 10-2, six-inning victory over the Captian Shreve A’s.

During the four-game stretch, the Millers combined to score 30 runs on 43 hits.

Leonards led the way, going 7-for-14 with a home run, two doubles and six runs driven in.

Beau Desselle had four hits, including three doubles and two RBI while Justin Desselle and Corzine each had four hits and two RBI. Bryant Gilbert also had four hits and drove in one run.

Savoie and Brian Broussard each had three hits. They also each homered and drove in two runs.

Also hitting for the Millers were Blaine Richard (3 hits); Jake Trahan (2 hits, 2 RBI); Coy Guidry (2 hits, RBI); Reggie (2 hits); Tyler Dupuis (2 hits); Corde McCall (double); Chris Andrepont (double) and Robichaux (1 hit).

The Millers will return to District 7 East action tonight when they travel to Opelousas to take on the Indians at Westminster. First pitch is slated for 7 o’clock.