DOTHAN, Ala. – LSU Eunice Baseball made critical plays late to escape Wallace CC-Dothan with a 10-9 victory on Saturday at Westgate Park. LSUE (41-2) secured its eighth series win of the season in its first ever weekend set with the Governors.
The two sides would go back-and-forth throughout the afternoon as there was just two innings that did not see a team score. The Bengals struck first with
Alexander Saunier (Lafayette, LA, Lafayette HS) singling home
Dawson Willis (Ruston, LA, Ruston HS), then scoring on a sacrifice by
Parker Coley (Sterlington, LA, Sterlington HS).
Willis added the third run of the day for the Bengals in the second with a bunt single to plate
Nick Duplechain (Lafayette, LA, Iota HS). The freshman added a sacrifice fly in the fourth to push the game to 4-2 LSUE.
That's when things would go sideways for the Bengals as the Governors would plate four runs in the fourth to take a 6-4 lead. It would set the stage for a wild final five innings from Dothan.
Nick Duplechain belted a bases loaded rocket off the Wallace-Dothan first baseman, producing an unconventional two-run ground out to the Governor pitcher, tying the game 6-6. It was short lived as Wallace-Dothan would blast a solo home run to regain the lead. It was the last inning the Governors would hold the lead.
Willis continued his big day in the seventh inning, lacing a bases loaded two-out double down the left field line to score a pair of runs and help LSUE regain the 8-7 advantage.
Collin Husser (Ponchatoula, LA, Ponchatoula HS) added two valuable insurance runs an inning later with his second home run of the weekend.
After the Governors would creep to within a run heading into the ninth,
Jacob Moore (Lacombe, LA, Lakeshore HS) would slam the door closed. Moore induced three straight ground outs in the final frame, picking up his third save of the season.
Blake Lobell (Holden, LA, Springfield HS) was credited with the win for his three inning relief stint. Lobell scattered one earned run off three hits.
Willis collected his second three-plus hit game of the season, driving in four runs and scoring once. He was joined by
Zachary Thomas (Jesup, GA, Wayne County HS) and Duplechain with multi-hit games.
