EUNICE, La. – LSU Eunice took advantage of 14 free passes to rally against Wharton County, 15-6. The Bengals were outhit 8-7, but used an eight run sixth inning to cruise to the nine-run victory.
LSU Eunice (31-4) fell behind 4-0 in the second inning after starter Noah Beason gave up four singles including a two-run triple by Ben Casas. Beason threw two innings, giving up four earned runs off four hits while striking out three batters.
The Bengals cut the deficit to 4-3 in the bottom half of the inning highlighted by Johnny Johnson's two run double. Koi Westbrook would tie the game in the fourth inning on a sacrifice ground out to second base, scoring Jacob Richard.
Jacob Spell guided the Bengals through the next three innings on the hill which featured the left-hander striking out the side in the fourth inning. Spell was pulled in the sixth after a double and an error put Wharton County base runners at second and third. The freshman tallied five strikeouts while giving up two hits and two unearned runs.
Gage Trahan (1-0) inherited the two runners what would eventually score on a base hit single and wild pitch. Trahan would pick up the win in his third appearance, throwing one inning and allowing one hit and three strikeouts.
The Bengals would wrestle the lead away in the sixth inning with an eight-run frame. After a pair of one-out base on balls and a hit by pitch to load the bases, the Bengals would work three consecutive walks to take an 8-6 lead. After Brent Hebert drove in a run on a single, Mason Templet delivered the knockout blow with a three-run double to push the Bengals' lead to 11-6.
Bren Faulk rounded out the sixth inning with a sacrifice groundout to score Templet.
Templet and Hebert both drove in three runs while Johnny Johnson led the LSUE offense with four RBIs off one hit and two walks.
Hebert led a three-run seventh inning with a 2-RBI double.
LSU Eunice embarks on a four-game road trip that begins this weekend at Tyler JC. Fans can also follow the baseball team's Twitter (@LSUEBengalsBSB), Facebook (@LSUEuniceBaseball) and Instagram (@LSUEBengals) accounts.
