Bengals Roll in Season Opener
Box Score The top-ranked Bengals exploded for 14 runs in the bottom of the sixth inning as LSU Eunice cruised to 19-3 mercy-rule win over North Lake in the season opener Friday night.
Erin Baldwin earned the win as he struck out four, walked one but did not allow a hit in four shutout innings.
Connor Bates went the final three innings as he struck out five and allowed three earned runs on six hits.
The Bengals (1-0) jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the second inning, begun when Hayden Mixon doubled to center and then scored when Michael Claverie grounded out to short.
Hunter Feduccia walked and advanced when Trenon Trosclair bunted his way on base.
The two Bengal baserunners advanced on a wild pitch and then scored on a North Lake throwing error.
LSU Eunice added two more runs in the bottom of the fourth inning, aided by a double to center by Mixon who scored on a single to left by Claverie.
Claverie stole second and then scored on a double to left by LaFleur to push the Bengals ahead, 5-0.
After a scoreless fifth inning, the Bengals put the game away with the 14-run explosion.
Feduccia singled to right, Trosclair followed with a bunt and LaFleur singled to load the bases.
With one out, Nick Coomes reached base on an error that allowed Feduccia to score.
Will Watson then singled in Trosclair and LaFleur, while Mixon singled in Coomes as the Bengals pushed ahead, 9-0.
Watson scored on back-to-back wild throws as Fontenot singled to keep the rally going.
Fontenot singled and Claverie doubled to drive in Mixon, while Feduccia's singled plated Fontenot as LSU Eunice extended its lead to 12-0.
After Feduccia stole second, Trosclair singled to drive in Claverie. Bourque's single to center scored Feduccia and Coomes then singled in Trosclair for a 15-0 Bengal advantage.
Watson was hit by a pitch and Mixon hit a grand slam to cap the impressive 14-run inning.
Fontenot singled to right with two outs, but was left stranded.
North Lake avoided the shut out with three runs in the top of the seventh, aided by four singles and a double.
Mixon went 4-for-5 with five RBI and four runs scored to lead the Bengals.
Trosclair went 3-for-3 with a RBI and three runs scored, while Claverie went 2-for-4 with three RBI and two runs scored.
LaFleur went 2-for-4 with a walk, a RBI and a run scored, while Janson Bourque went 2-for-5 with a RBI and a run scored.
Coomes went 1-for-4 with two RBI and two run scored, while Watson finished 1-for-3 with two RBI and two runs scored.
The Bengals will take on North Lake again at 1 p.m. Saturday and complete the series with a 1 p.m. Sunday finale.
-----
