Most Outstanding Pitcher
Jerry Couch picked up
two victories in World Series
May 30, Phoenix College – W, 9-1
Box Score
Photo Gallery
LSU Eunice cruised in its World Series opener in a 9-1 victory over No. 8 seed Phoenix College in a seven-inning mercy-rule win. It was the Bengals’ 18th run-rule victory of the season.
Jerry Couch tossed a complete game, scattering just one earned run off three hits and two walks. The sophomore had help with terrific defensive plays early, including a show stopping diving catch from Jack Merrifield that saved a run in the third inning.
Bryce LaRocca enjoyed a season-high three-hit night that included an emphatic solo home run in the second inning, the first run of the game. LSUE would plate five runs in the sixth inning, started by LaRocca’s RBI double and highlighted by a two run single by Jarrett McDonald.
Peyton LeJeune added a two-hit effort including a RBI single in the seventh inning.
Most Outstanding Player
Peyton LeJeune led LSUE
with 10 hits in Enid.
May 31, Kellogg Community College – W, 11-2
Box Score
Photo Gallery
It was another decisive victory for LSU Eunice, scoring an 11-2 run-rule victory over Kellogg.
Beau Kirsch played the role of sparkplug for the Bengal bats. The catcher drove in the first run of the game with a RBI single, would induce a pick-off that led to a run scored off an errant throw to first and then score off a Bryce LaRocca single.
After Kellogg scored its first run in the fourth, Ayden Makarus responded with an opposite field home run. The Bengals would then push their lead to 8-1 using a wild pitch, two misplayed bunts, a ground ball error and fielder’s choice.
LSUE would get out of a bases loaded jam in the seventh, as Austin Andrihsok would come in relief to induce a double play and grounder back to the mound. Luke McGibboney grabbed his third win of the year after giving up two earned runs off three hits and a walk while striking out four batters.
Peyton LeJeune capped off a three-hit game with a walk off triple, scoring three runs.
All-Tournament Team 1B Hunter Tabb enjoyed breakout
4-for-5 game vs. Kellogg including three doubles and 4 RBIs
June 2, Kellogg Community College –W, 11-6
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LSU Eunice punched its eighth ticket to the NJCAA Division II Championship with an 11-6 victory over Kellogg. The win was also the 900th for the Bengals under Jeff Willis.
The two sides went back and forth early as the Bengals went into the bottom of the fourth inning tied 2-2. The Bengals would go ahead for good after an Ayden Makarus sacrifice grounder and then push Kellogg on the brink of a run-rule.
Hunter Tabb drove in three runs on a pair of doubles, Thomas Stevens brought home a run on a bunt and Scott Jones capped off a seven-run spurt with a two-run double in the seventh inning to make it 9-2 LSUE.
Kellogg would make one final push in the eighth, loading the bases and scoring four runs off three hit batters and a sacrifice grounder. Tabb would continue his hot day, answering in the eighth with a RBI double, his third two-bagger of the game.
Jacob Hammond sat down the Bruins in order in the ninth inning. Dalton Burrell grabbed the win after six complete innings, giving up two earned runs off three hits and four walks while striking out four batters.
Jase McDonald was bright spot in Championship Series
opener, tossing 3.1 scoreless innings.
June 3, Western Oklahoma State College – L, 4-9
Box Score
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LSU Eunice dug itself a 6-0 hole and could not recover as the Bengals fell in the Championship Series opener against Western Oklahoma State College, 9-4.
The Pioneers struck for five runs in the opening frame, using an error, two walks and three consecutive run producing hits.
Down 6-0, LSUE would try to chip away in the third inning after Jack Merrifield doubled home Brady Hebert. Western would punch right back with two runs an inning later.
A lone bright spot in the game was Jase McDonald. The freshman kept hope alive for the Bengals, tossing 3.1 innings of scoreless relief, giving up just three hits and a walk with four strikeouts.
LSUE seemed poised for some late game magic with two on and one out in the eighth, but a sacrifice fly and strikeout squashed the rally.
Brady Hebert celebrates a 3-RBI
double in LSUE's win over Western.
June 4, Western Oklahoma State College – W, 12-3
Box Score
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A typical formula for the Bengals' 2021 success was on display as LSU Eunice used a dominant pitching performance, a big offensive frame and manufactured runs to keep its season alive with a 12-3 win and even up the Championship Series.
After the two teams went back and forth with runs in the first two frames, LSUE finally got the big hit from Brady Hebert. The sophomore delivered a three-run double in the third inning, part of a five-run inning.
LSUE would score in eight of nine innings with Jack Merrifield joining Hebert with a three RBI game. Hunter Tabb added another three-hit performance while Beau Kirsch scored three times.
Jerry Couch delivered another gem in his final LSUE outing. After giving up four hits in the first two frames, Couch (12-1) limited the Pioneer bats to a single hit the next five. Austin Andrishok and Brock Barthelemy each tossed a perfect inning in relief.
All-Tournament Team 2B Jack Merrifield
had team-high 4 hits in clinching victory.
June 5, Western Oklahoma State College – W, 5-4 (14 Innings)
Box Score
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World Series Statistical Totals
LSU Eunice delivered another classic Championship performance in Enid as the Bengals survived a 14-inning marathon to take down Western Oklahoma State 5-4.
The Bengals’ 7th National Championship nearly didn’t happen, as LSUE was down to its final out in the ninth inning. Jarrett McDonald provided the heroics with a game tying RBI single in the ninth and set the stage for a classic heavyweight battle in extra innings.
Jake Hammond kept the title hopes alive with arguably his best performance as a Bengal. The closer tossed a career-long 6.1 innings, throwing 112 pitches. Hammond would give up the go-ahead run in the eighth, but settle down to produce a career best nine strikeouts.
Jake Hammond tossed a career long 6.1 innings with career best
nine strikeouts in clinching victory.
Hammond battled out of bases loaded jams in the 6th and 10th innings, giving the ball to Brock Barthelemy who wrestled the Bengals out of another bases loaded situation in the 12th.
Barthelemy slammed the door on Western Oklahoma State, going 2.1 innings of no-hit relief, picking up the win and setting the stage for the Bengals’ dramatic victory.
LSUE would get the winning run in the most improbable of fashions. Hunter Tabb would go down swinging on a breaking ball that would get in the dirt. An errant throw off Tabb’s helmet to first would allow the sophomore to get all the way to third and score on the next pitch after Western would spike its first wild pitch of the tournament.
The Bengals would load the bases in the 14th, but could not cross another insurance run. The two teams would leave 33 runners on base combined.
Early on, it certainly did not seem like LSUE would need an epic performance as the Bengals roared out to a 3-0 lead through four innings. Luke McGibboney would do his part, allowing just two runners to reach second base through the first four innings. Miscues helped Western tie it up with a pair of errors followed by a RBI single in the sixth.
Jack Merrififeld led the LSUE offense with a 4-for-5 game and two runs scored while Peyton LeJeune and McDonald had multi-hit nights in LSUE’s 12-hit output.
Jarrett McDonald celebrates after driving in the game tying
run in the ninth inning with two outs.
World Series Awards
Player of the Tournament – Peyton LeJeune
Pitcher of the Tournament – Jerry Couch
Coach of the Tournament – Jeff Willis
All-Tournament Team – Hunter Tabb, Jerry Couch, Jack Merrifield
LSU Eunice celebrates its 7th NJCAA Baseball National Championship
