EUNICE, La – The big inning played a major role on Saturday as LSU Eunice and Delgado split its doubleheader to begin their weekend series.
The Dolphins struck for five runs in the fifth inning of the opening game to take a 7-5 victory, while LSUE responded with a seven-run frame in a 9-3 win to earn the split. The Bengals offense was led by the duo of
Bryce LaRocca (Lake Charles, LA, Barbe HS) and
Cole Romero (Scott, LA, Acadiana HS), each producing five hits over the two games.
LSUE closes out the home portion of the 2022 regular season on Sunday with the rubber match against Delgado. First pitch from the Cajun Prairie is scheduled for 1:00PM.
Game 1 vs Delgado CC – L, 5-7
A five-run third inning was too much for LSU Eunice to overcome as the Bengals fell 7-5 in the opening game of their series with Delgado.
The Dolphins used five hits in the critical frame to jump out to a 6-1 lead, chasing starter
Dalton Burrell (Bossier City, LA, Airline HS). The Bengals would fight back with a bases loaded walk in the bottom half of the inning but would leave the bases full.
LSUE would claw to within a run an inning later, striking for three in the fourth. Bryce LaRocca connected on a bases loaded single to score a pair, followed by an RBI from Cole Romero to make it a 6-5 deficit.
Delgado would push across a run in the fifth on a sacrifice to give the Dolphins an insurance run. LSUE would have opportunities in the final three innings, leaving three runners on base but could not find an answer for Dolphins reliever Tyler Velino.
The Bengals bullpen gave LSUE a chance to rally, giving up a single run in the final 4.2 innings. The trio of
Luke McGibboney (Gonzales, LA, Catholic-Baton Rouge HS),
Jackson Fraser (Buena Vista, Saskatchewan, Canada, Foothills Composite HS) and
Cade Hart (Shreveport, LA, Calvary Baptist HS) limited Delgado to just four hits while not issuing a free pass.
LSUE would have four different players grab multi-hit games in the Bengals' 11-hit output.
Game 2 vs. Delgado CC – W, 9-3
LSU Eunice would use a big offensive inning of its own on its way to a 9-3 win in the nightcap, securing a Saturday split. The Bengals would strike for seven runs in the sixth inning, outhitting the Dolphins in both contests.
LSUE would trail 3-2 heading into the sixth, tying the game on a
Cade Hart (Shreveport, LA, Calvary Baptist HS) fielder's choice that would induce one of two Delgado errors in the inning.
Christian Gonzalez (Breaux Bridge, LA, Breaux Bridge HS) gave LSUE the lead with an RBI double a batter later.
The Bengals would put up four more runs in the frame including a pair of two out RBI singles from
Peyton LeJeune (Church Point, LA, Teurlings Catholic HS) and Bryce LaRocca.
LaRocca would join Cole Romero with three hit games as both also scored twice. LaRocca would get the LSUE scoring started with a solo home run in the fourth as the Bengals trailed 3 -0 to start the game.
