EUNICE, La. – LSU Eunice Baseball could not hold off Panola College late as the Bengals suffered a 6-3 setback on Friday at Bengal Stadium.  LSUE (41-4)
 
The Bengals took an early lead in what was a pitching duel.  Bennett Clement (St. Francisville, LA, West Feliciana HS) brought home a run while Panola executed a double play, squashing a bases loaded situation for the Bengals.  Panola would tie the game in the fifth on a RBI double.
 
Clement again pushed LSUE back in front in the seventh inning, executing a bunt to bring home Ashton Fuselier (Lake Charles, LA, Sam Houston HS). 
 
Blake Lobell (Holden, LA, Springfield HS) went into the eighth inning before Panola's offense forced the Bengals' ace out of the game.  The sophomore received his first no decision of the year, giving up three earned runs off seven hits while striking out four batters.
 
The Ponies took the lead off a lead-off home run in the eighth, followed by a RBI single that would give Panola a 3-2 lead.  The back-and-forth continued as the Bengals punched back in the bottom half of the inning when Tyson LeBlanc (Maurice, LA, North Vermilion HS) laced an opposite field two-out double to score Reuben Williams (Prairieville, LA, Dutchtown HS).
 
Panola would break the game open in the ninth, using an error and two walks to help score three runs.  LSUE would get its first two base runners on base in the bottom half, but a tough luck line drive that would double up the Bengals ended any scoring opportunity.
 
The Bengals will aim to even, and win, the series with a Saturday doubleheader at Bengal Stadium.  The action from the Cajun Prairie starts at 1:00PM.