EUNICE, La. – LSU Eunice saw its 24-game win streak come to an end after splitting a pair of games against Tyler JC. The tear was the second longest in program history, only behind a 33-game run during the 2016 season.
The Bengals used a nine-run to cruise past Tyler JC in the opener before falling in a see-saw 12-8 closer with the Apaches. LSUE (44-5) did secure its 12th multiple game series win of the season.
Cameron Horton led the LSUE offense during the Saturday twinbill, collecting three hits, two RBIs and three runs scored.
LSU Eunice will take the next few days to complete spring semester final exams before turning its full attention to the stretch run. The Bengals head out next weekend to Florida for games against perennial power Chipola College and St. Johns Rivers State College.
GAME ONE
Early home runs and a fourth inning explosion helped LSUE runaway from Tyler JC in a five inning 15-2 mercy rule win. It was the ninth time this season the Bengals have posted a game of 15 or more runs.
Tyler JC struck for the first run of the game when Mike Bounds drove in Michael Morissette. Starting pitcher Andrew Sheridan would retire ten of the next 11 batters he faced. Brent Hebert would tie the game in the bottom half of the first after reaching on an error, stealing two bases and scoring on a wild pitch.
The Bengals would take the lead for good off of a solo home run laser by Cameron Horton, his team leading eighth of the season. LSUE bumped up its lead to 4-1 in the second inning after Koi Westbrook scored on a passed ball and Johnny Johnson sacrificed in Evan Keller.
Mason Templet powered home two more runs an inning later with a deep home run just left of straight away centerfield.
The Bengals would push across nine runs in the fourth inning off of only five hits. Two hit by pitches and an error helped LSUE load the bases. Brent Hebert would double home a pair of runs before Chance Clark made it a 9-1 game after a wild pitch. After Cameron Horton added another run on a single, Koi Westbrook and Evan Keller pushed two across with bases loaded singles. That set the stage for Sam O'Brien's knockout blow three run double to give the Bengals a 15-1 edge.
Andrew Sheridan would complete the game but allowed one more run from the Apaches. The freshman improved to 10-0 on the season after scattering two runs on six hits while not issuing a walk.
GAME TWO
Early and late mistakes spelled doom for LSUE as Tyler JC took home a 12-8 finale to salvage a game in the series.
Chase Evans provided the opening blow with a no-doubter three-run home run to left field that would chase Bengals starter Gage Trahan. The freshman gave up four earned runs off one hit and three walks in 0.2 innings of action.
TJC built a 6-1 lead before the Bengals started to chop away. After a pair of runs in the second inning, LSUE struck for three more to tie the game 6-6 in the fifth highlighted by Brent Hebert's run scoring double.
The Apaches answered for three runs of their own in the sixth inning helped by two Bengal errors.
LSUE would claw back within a run after two wild pitches allowed Mason Templet and Evan Keller to score but TJC applied the finishing touches with Michael Morissette's bases clearing triple in the eighth to push the final ledger of 12-8.
Brent Hebert (3-2) was tagged with the loss after giving up three earned runs off two hints and two walks in one inning of work. LSUE ran through six different relievers with Austin Bradford seeing the most action with 3.1 innings pitched.
Andrew Sheridan was the lone Bengal to record a multiple hit game, going 2-for-3 with one run scored and driving in a run on a sacrifice bunt in the fifth inning.
