EUNICE, La. – A wet and cold night could not slow down another fast start for LSU Eunice as the top-ranked Bengals cruised past National Park College 13-3 in seven innings on Friday at Bengal Stadium.  It was the first ever game between LSUE and the Nighthawks, a second year NJCAA program from Hot Springs, Ark.
 
LSUE capitalized on an eight-run third inning to blow open the game.  The Bengals used seven hits, three walks and two errors highlighted by Jarrett McDonald's(Sterlington, LA, Sterlington HS) two-run home run.  Jack Merrifield (Prairieville, LA, Dutchtown HS) would also connect on a bases loaded double to clear the bases and make it 10-0 LSUE.
 
Merrifield continued his stellar start to the year, going 3-for-3 with 3 RBIs and two runs scored.
 
Carter Quinn (Lake Charles, LA, Barbe HS) and Ayden Makarus (Okatoks, Alberta, Canada, Foothills Composite HS) were the other two Bengals to record multi-hit games in 13-hit output.
 
The scoring was starting in the opening frame thanks to a Scott Jones fielder's choice and Makarus RBI double.  Bryce LaRocca (Lake Charles, LA, Barbe HS) closed out the offensive output in the sixth inning with a two-run single.
 
Lost in the offensive shuffle was another great outing for Jerry Couch (Bossier City, LA, Airline HS).  The right hander tossed a complete game, scattering three runs off three hits while striking out six batters.  Couch didn't yield his first hit of the game until the fourth inning, retiring the first ten batters in order.
 
LSUE will play a Saturday doubleheader beginning with LSU Alexandria at 3:00PM, followed by National Park College.