EUNICE, La. – LSU Eunice Baseball used an offensive explosion in its opening game to split a Saturday doubleheader against Tyler Junior College at Bengal Stadium. The Bengals (43-3)
LSUE used a five-run fourth inning to jump out ahead of the Apaches, taking an 11-1 opening game in a six-run mercy rule win. The Bengals would then gift a nine-run inning to TJC as a comeback attempt fell short, dropping the night contest 12-9.
The rubber match of the three-game series is set for Sunday at 1:00PM.
Game 1 vs. Tyler JC – W, 11-1 (5 Innings)
A consistent offensive attack helped LSU Eunice open the day against Tyler JC with an 11-1 win in a six inning mercy-rule contest. It was LSUE's 17th run-rule victory of the season.
Zachary Thomas (Jesup, GA, Wayne County HS) got the Bengals' offense rolling early, doubling home
Alexander Saunier (Lafayette, LA, Lafayette HS) in the opening frame.
Korey Cooper (Dickinson, TX, Dickinson HS) would follow with a sacrifice fly to give LSUE the early 2-0 edge. Thomas and Cooper were back at it the third, combining for an RBI triple and single to double the Bengals' score.
After TJC would score its only run of the game on a bases loaded hit by pitch, the Bengals responded in the bottom of the inning with authority. Alexander Saunier smacked a towering three-run home run, followed by a two run double by Cooper to push LSUE ahead 9-1.
The Bengals would trigger the mercy rule in the sixth after
Parker Coley (Sterlington, LA, Sterlington HS) uncorked a solo home run and
Collin Husser (Ponchatoula, LA, Ponchatoula HS) produced an RBI single.
Coley led the 10-hit attack with a three hit game while Cooper went 2-for-3 with four RBIs.
Connor Benge (Montgomery, TX, Montgomery HS) improved to 9-1 on the season with a six inning complete game effort. Benge scattered one earned run off four hits and five walks while striking out six batters.
Game 2 vs. Tyler JC – L, 9-12
LSU Eunice gifted a big inning to Tyler JC and a late rally attempt fell short as the Bengals dropped the night game of Saturday's doubleheader, 12-9. The Bengals surrendered a nine-run second inning, helping TJC jump out to the large advantage.
It was an uncharacteristic night for the Bengal pitching as LSUE issued 11 free passes, four coming in that fateful second frame.
After spotting TJC the nine-run jumpstart,
Barham White (Monroe, LA, Ouachita Christian HS) tried to cut into the lead with a two-run double in the bottom of the second inning. The Apaches would push across three more runs over the next six innings, taking a 12-2 lead into the bottom of the eighth.
That's when things would get interesting for LSUE as the Bengals would score two runs in the eighth as a Zachary Thomas sacrifice ground out and Korey Cooper RBI double cut the deficit to 12-4.
In its final at bat, LSUE would load the bases with no outs thanks to a hit by pitch and two walks. An error on a fielder's choice would bring home two runs. LSUE would load the bases again, walking home a run to sit within striking distance, 12-7, and no outs. An Apache pitching change induced a long sacrifice fly by
Nick Duplechain (Lafayette, LA, Iota HS) and RBI ground out from
Tanner Vadnais (Prairieville, LA, Dutchtown HS).
A strikeout would end the rally attempt.
Cooper was the lone Bengal with a multi-hit game as LSUE combined for eight hits.
Parker Webb (Fayetteville, TN, Lincoln County HS) was saddled with his first loss of the year, going 1.1 innings. He would give up six runs, just two earned, on three walks and two hits.
