WESTWEGO, La. – LSU Eunice Baseball used a tried-and-true formula for postseason success in the Bengals' 5-3 victory over Delgado in the winner take all decider of the LCCAC/Region 23 Tournament on Tuesday at Segnette Field. The Bengals (44-10) relied on sterling effort on the mound by
McCray Jacobs (Johnson City, TX, Johnson City HS) and produced the timely hit in another nailbiter against the Dolphins.
Jacobs delivered again for the Bengals when it mattered most. The southpaw made his third appearance of the weekend, making just his second start of the season. The sophomore tossed a career-high 7.2 innings against Delgado to improve to 6-0 on the season.
Delgado threatened out of the gate, putting two men on with one out. Jacobs answered by striking out back-to-back batters to squash the opportunity. He would go on to retire Delgado in order in three of the next five innings, using a pair of double plays engineered by
Jake Smith (Rosepine, LA, Rosepine HS). In his outing, Jacobs would only allow three baserunners to reach scoring position, navigating six total hits and three free passes while striking out eight batters.
The Bengals' offense provided a spark in the third inning after
Jordan Luna (Washington, LA, Opelousas Catholic HS) was issued a one-out hit by pitch and
Andrew Clapinski (Baton Rouge, LA, Catholic-Baton Rouge HS) singled to right field.
Aidan Mouton (Rayne, LA, Notre Dame HS) brought home the first run of the game with a line drive down the left field line, scoring Luna. Two batters later,
Marshall Louque (Lutcher, LA, Lutcher HS) uncorked a no doubter to left center. His three-run home run gave LSUE a 4-0 lead.
Mason Bordelon (Marksville, LA, Avoyelles Charter HS) added a valuable insurance an inning later with a towering solo home run to left field, his team's best 17th of the season. The Bengals outhit the Dolphins 9-7 for the game, led by two-hit outings by Clapinski and Mouton.
LSUE was not out of the woods just yet. After Jacobs was pulled with two outs in the eighth, Delgado connected on a three-run home run to try to turn the tide of the game. Aidan Mouton would come in to record the third out of the eighth.
Delgado would mount one last chance in the ninth, working two walks to put the go-ahead runner at the plate. Mouton would strike out the batter, securing his second save of the season.
LSU Eunice will now move on to host the South District Championship Series this weekend at Bengal Stadium against Shelton State. The best-of-three series begins Thursday, May 14 with a 7:00PM start time on the LSUE campus. The two teams will play again on Friday, May 15 at 7:00PM and the if necessary, game will take place Saturday, May 16 at 2:00PM.
Tickets can be purchased online at www.lsuebengals.net/Tickets beginning on Wednesday, May 13. Season Ticket Holders will receive complimentary tickets to all three games for the seats they purchased during the regular season. The series will also be broadcast live on the LSUE Digital Network with Randy Guillory on the call. Fans can watch the free broadcast by downloading the app on their favorite mobile, tablet or OTT device.
