EUNICE, La. – LSU Eunice's freshmen accounted for 16 hits and 18 RBIs as the Bengals flexed their muscle over Dakota State University-JV, 21-0, in a five inning mercy rule game at Bengal Stadium on Wednesday.  The Bengals' (18-3) 21-run margin of victory was the team's largest since a 35-1 win over Prairie State College on March 19, 2016.
 
LSUE used a four-run first inning to start the onslaught, all coming with two outs.  Brooks Rushworth (Sterlington, LA, Sterlington HS) stroked a two-run triple to lead the frame.  Rushworth would finish with four RBIs after belting a two-run home run in the third inning.
 
The Bengals' lead would swell to seven runs after Jack Merrifield (Prairieville, LA, Dutchtown HS) hit one of his three triples to score Jarrett McDonald.  River Town (Zachary, LA, Zachary HS) would follow with a run scoring single a batter later.  LSUE would blow the game open with an eight-run third inning, highlighted by Rushworth's home run and Merrifield's second triple that would score a pair.  Merrifield went a perfect 4-for-4 on the night, driving in five runs and scoring four times.
 
Town would deliver one of the many knockout blows in the fourth with a towering two-run home run in the fourth inning.  Town collected three hits, four RBIs and three runs scored in the game.   Brady Hebert (Baton Rouge, LA, Catholic-Baton Rouge HS) would get in on the act in the inning, scoring two runs with a pinch-hit triple in the six-run inning.
 
A dominant pitching effort was overshadowed by LSUE's offensive prowess.  Tod Gauthe' (Brusly, LA, Brusly HS) picked up the win after tossing the first two innings of the game, striking out five of the six batters he faced.  Austin Andrishok (Baton Rouge, LA, Catholic-Baton Rouge HS), Gage Trahan (Maurice, LA, Vermilion Catholic HS) and Jacob Hammond (Monroe, LA, Ouachita HS) would combine for five more punch outs, giving up one hit and two walks.
 
LSU Eunice will stay at home this weekend as the Bengals welcome a pair of NJCAA-ranked teams.  LSUE tangles with No. 5 Pearl River CC on Friday at 6:00PM, followed by Saturday and Sunday contests with No. 19 Murray State College.
 
Fans can find more news and information by following the baseball team's Twitter (@LSUEBengalsBSB), Facebook (@LSUEBaseball) and Instagram (@LSUEBengals) accounts.