LSUE Celebrates Its First National Championship In School History
May 27, St. Louis CC-Forest Park – W, 17-0 (5 Innings)
The Bengals started off their stay in Millington in style with a 17-0 five inning run-rule win of St. Louis CC-Forest Park. LSU Eunice used a powerful nine-run third inning and six-run fourth frame to cruise in the opening round.
After plating two runs in the first inning, the Bengals exploded for nine runs off five hits and two errors in the third. Leonard Porche started the big frame with a RBI double down the left field line. In all, six players drove a run in during the inning highlighted by Matt Berard’s 2-RBI single. An inning later, Porche’s 2-RBI single and Dustin Guidry’s two-run home run helped spark a six-run outburst.
Nate Duhe improved to 12-1 on the season after tossing four shutout innings. Duhe allowed just two hits while striking out a pair. Josh Istre pitched the final inning of relief, striking out two of the three batters faced.
May 28, Elgin Community College – W, 5-1
Critical late-game plays helped LSU Eunice advance past Elgin Community College, 5-1, to move on to the winner’s bracket semifinal. After both teams were deadlocked through six innings, LSUE’s four-run seventh inning was the difference.
It was an early pitching duel with the two sides combining for just five hits through five innings. Both LSUE and Elgin crossed a run in the sixth with the Bengals using a Kyle Suire RBI single to plate Brandon Richey. An inning later, the LSU Eunice got the big break it needed. With the bases loaded, Bryan Jaeger was hit by a pitch, two more runs scored on a failed pick-off attempt and another run was plated off a wild pitch.
Brett Durand held strong with eight innings, scattering five hits and that lone run.
Paige Hodges Drives In 9th Inning Run vs. Brookdale
May 30, Grand Rapids Community College – L, 11-6
LSU Eunice fell into loser’s bracket play after an 11-6 decision against Grand Rapids. The Bengals couldn’t capitalize on opportunities, leaving seven runners on base.
The Bengals raced out to an early 6-2 edge after three innings. Kyle Suire provided the big lick in the first with a 3-RBI triple to right center. After GRCC responded with a pair of runs in the bottom half of the first, Rickey Noland’s sacrifice fly gave LSUE a 4-2 edge. Matt Berard’s solo home run and Leonard Porche’s sacrifice fly helped pad the Bengals advantage.
Grand Rapids responded with a five-run fourth inning off just three hits then added two more runs in the sixth and eighth.
Kyle Suire led the way offensively with a 3-for-5 night with 3 RBI’s and a run scored.
Nate Duhe Throws Pitch vs. Brookdale
May 31, Brookdale Community College - W, 6-3
The Bengals began their climb through the loser’s bracket with a 6-3 win over Brookdale to set up a rematch with Grand Rapids in the championship. LSUE overcame 12 runners left on base and four errors to advance.
After falling behind 2-0 early, LSUE used a three-run third inning to take the lead. The Bengals’ first two runs came off a throwing error by the Brookdale pitcher while Leonard Porche provided the go-ahead score thanks to a sacrifice fly to plate Matt Berard.
After Brookdale tied it up in the bottom of the inning, LSUE went up for good in the sixth. Brandon Richey’s solo home run and Matt Berard’s RBI double pushed the Bengals ahead 5-3. Paige Hodges ended the scoring for LSUE with a pinch-hit RBI single in the ninth.
Nate Duhe gutted out a complete game effort, settling down after his rocky start. The LSUE notched his 13
th win of the season, tied for fifth in school history, yielding three runs off five hits and one walk while striking out a pair.
Matt Collins Gets Hit vs. GRCC In June 1 Win
June 1, Grand Rapids Community College – W, 7-3
A six-run fourth inning was all LSU Eunice needed to force a winner-take-all championship game in a 7-3 victory over Grand Rapids Community College. It was LSUE’s first ever NJCAA National Championship game appearance.
After falling behind 1-0 with a GRCC run in the third inning, the Bengals back breaker came a frame later. The duo of Matt Collins and Bryan Jaeger drove in three runs on back-to-back hits before Jaeger scored on a throwing error to make it 3-1. A batter later, Rickey Noland lifted a two-run home down the left field line to finished off the damage. LSUE added an insurance run in the seventh thanks to Jaeger’s second RBI of the game.
Thomas Tillery notched his fourth save of the season throwing the final 2.2 innings after a six-plus inning jewel by Corey Chapman. The left-hander scattered three runs on seven hits while striking out nine batters and issuing three walks.
Tournament MVP Brett Durand
June 2, Grand Rapids Community College – W, 3-0
Brett Durand pitched a complete game shutout as LSU Eunice captured the school’s first ever National Championship with a 3-0 win over Grand Rapids. Durand was named the World Series Most Valuable Player for his title game jewel.
Durand gave up just two hits and one walk while striking out nine batters. Grand Rapids only had three base runners reach second base.
Matt Collins provided the first spark for the LSUE offense in the fourth inning. Collins tripled to center field to score Kyle Suire. The Bengals scored two more runs in the sixth off a Collins RBI then Collins scored thanks to a Grand Rapids throwing error.
Tournament Awards
Most Valuable Player – Brett Durand
All-Tournament Team – Brett Durand, Nate Duhe, Kyle Suire, Brandon Richey and Matt Collins
