BEEVILLE, Tx. – For the first time this season, LSU Eunice hits the road for a weekend series at Coastal Bend College. The three-game set was moved from Eunice to Beeville, TX because of the threat of inclement weather in the Acadiana area this weekend.
The two teams will play at Bengal Stadium for a three-game series March 23-24.\
Fans can listen to all three games this weekend on the Bayou Sports Network this weekend with Randy Guillory on the call. A Friday doubleheader begins at 3:00PM with a Saturday finale set for 12:00PM.
LSUE (10-0) comes off another perfect weekend, taking a sweep of Northeastern Oklahoma A&M. The Bengals run-ruled the Norse twice, making it eight of the first ten games ending in mercy rule fashion. Koi Westbrook and Tristan Welch led the offensive charge combining for nine hits, 11 runs scored and five RBI against NEO. Westbrook notched six stolen bases over the weekend.
The Bengals offense currently lead the NJCAA in runs (130), doubles (28), on-base percentage (.516), stolen bases (39) and extra base hits (42).
Zach Hester continued his sterling start to the 2018 season. Hester (3-0, 2.92) worked out of a bases loaded jam in the second inning to allow just one run en route to a season-high nine strikeout outing. Hester will start Friday's opener with Brent Hebert (2-0, 0.71) and Andrew Sheridan (1-0, 1.46) also in line to start on the mound.
Coastal Bend College (5-7) enters the weekend with a few impressive wins already on its resume. The Aggies took the series over DII No. 7 Murray State College on Feb. 2-3. Ruben Sepulveda leads the way offensive for CBC with nine hits, 10 RBIs and five runs scored. He was named the Division III NJCAA Player of the Week for his effort in that series win over Murray State. The quartet of Michael Dinsdale, Marco Becerril, Michael Smith and Christian Garcia have shouldered the early load on the mound, each throwing more than ten innings.
The Aggies are led by second-year head coach Brian Bauerle.
LSU Eunice returns home next weekend for a four-game series against Kellogg CC. Action begins Friday at 6:00PM followed by a Saturday doubleheader at 1:00PM and Sunday's finale at 1:00PM. For more news and information, follow the baseball team's Twitter (@LSUEBengalsBSB), Facebook (@LSUEuniceBaseball) and Instagram (@LSUEBengals) accounts.
Games 11-13: LSU Eunice (10-0) at Coastal Bend College (5-7)
Date/Time: February 16, 2018 | 3:00PM
February 16, 2018 | 7:30PM
February 17, 2018 | 12:00PM
Site: Beeville, Texas
Stadium: Joe Hunter Field
Radio: Bayou Sports Network (pxp – Randy Guillory)
TV/Internet: None
RANKINGS
LSU Eunice: No. 4 by NJCAA Coaches Poll; No. 8 by NJCAA
Coastal Bend College: N/A
PROBABLE STARTERS
Friday/Game 1: LSUE RHP Zach Hester (3-0, 2.92) vs. TBD
Friday/Game 2: LSUE RHP Brent Hebert (2-0, 0.71) vs. TBD
Saturday: LSUE RHP Andrew Sheridan (1-0, 1.46) vs. TBD
Social Media: @LSUEBengalsSB (Twitter), @LSUEuniceSoftball (Facebook), @LSUEBengals (Instagram)
SERIES VS. COASTAL BEND
All-Time Series: LSUE Leads 6-0
In Eunice, La. – LSUE Leads 2-0
In Beeville, Tx. – First Meeting
Neutral – LSUE Leads 4-0
MEET THE COACHES
LSU EUNICE
Head Coach: Jeff Willis (Arkansas-Little Rock)
Career Record: 730-175 (16
th Season), Record at LSU Eunice: Same
COASTAL BEND COLLEGE
Head Coach: Brian Bauerle (Lewis-Clark State College)
Career Record: 39-31 (2
nd Season), Record at Coastal Bend: Same
STORYLINES
- LSU Eunice is 10-0 to start the season for the fourth consecutive year.
- LSU Eunice's bats have come out hot to start the 2018 season. The Bengals lead the NJCAA in runs (130), doubles (28), on-base percentage (.516), stolen bases (39) and extra base hits (42).
- The Bengals travel to Coastal Bend College for the first time in program history. The two teams have met each of the last three years.
- LSUE won the first two NJCAA National Player of the Week awards this season. Jacob Richard got the nod last week after after going .588 at the plate with four doubles, one triple, seven RBI, six runs scored and four stolen bases. Cameron Horton was named the first NJCAA Player of the Week of the season after hitting at a .444 clip with two home runs and 11 RBIs.
OFFENSIVE FIREWORKS: LSU Eunice has started swinging the bats very effectively to begin the 2018 campaign. The Bengals have rolled up 130 runs in the first ten games of the year and lead the NJCAA in runs (130), doubles (28), on-base percentage (.516), stolen bases (39) and extra base hits (42). LSUE is second in triples (6), total bases (170) and sacrifice flies (7) while ranking third in home runs (8).
RENAISSANCE MAN: Brent Hebert has solidified himself as arguably one of the best "two-way" players in the NJCAA this season. Hebert is 2-0 with a 0.71 ERA this season to go along with 11 strikeouts and six walks. The outfielder is also batting .500 (12-for-24) with ten RBIs and 14 runs scored while not hitting in the three games he has pitched.
ACE IN THE HOLE: Zach Hester has proved why he is top arm for LSU Eunice this season. Hester is 3-0 with a 2.92 earned run average. His three wins are tied for tops in the NJCAA while his 22 strikeouts are ranked second.
JOLTIN' JACOB: Jacob Richard made it back-to-back weeks the Bengals were honored with NJCAA National Player of the Week honors. The Teurlings Catholic product went 10-for-18 (.588) at the plate with four doubles, one triple, seven RBI, six runs scored and four stolen bases. The centerfielder provided a clutch lead-off triple in the bottom of the 9
th and scored the walk-off run on a wild pitch in Saturday's 2-1 win over SW Tennessee. During the Salukis series, Richard had three three-hit games and had a hand in 13 of the 51 runs scored. He currently leads LSUE in total bases (27), doubles (8) and hits (17).
CAM GOES BAM: Cameron Horton enjoyed a breakout opening weekend at the plate, earning NJCAA weekly honors. Horton was named national player of the week after belting two home runs and 11 RBI's during the Bengals season opening sweep. The sophomore enjoyed a sensational Sunday finale, blasting two homers and driving in 7 RBIs. It was the most runs driven in by a LSUE player against NJCAA competition since 2013. For the weekend, Horton hit at a .444 average with the 11 RBIs and 3 runs scored.
THE SUPER SIX: LSUE has named six captains for the upcoming season. The team selected Justin Barton, Micah McHugh, Zach Hester, Koi Westbrook, Sam O'Brien and Hayden Mixon following the fall practice schedule.
ROLLING AGAIN WITH ROBERTO: LSUE welcomed back assistant coach Roberto Vaz for his second tour of duty with the Bengals. Vaz was an assistant at LSU Eunice from 2011-2014 helping the team to the 2012 NJCAA Division II National Championship. The NJCAA "Golden Anniversary All-Time World Series" team member is in charge of hitting, outfielders and will coach third base this season.
