Bobcats cruise past Crowley

CROWLEY – The Eunice Bobcats took an early lead and staved off a late comeback attempt by the Crowley Gents on the way to an 8-3 victory here Wednesday night at Miller Stadium in Acadiana Metro League (4-0) action.
The Bobcats took an early lead with a two-run first inning off Crowley starting pitcher Hayden Erbe.
Gunner Fontenot singled and courtesy runner Graham Hillman advanced to second on a wild pitch.
A bunt single by Logan Manuel put runners at first and third.
Hillman scored on a sacrifice bunt by Jordan Comeaux and Manuel scored on a groundout by Wes Hebert for a 2-0 lead.
The Cats touched Erbe for three runs in the second inning for a 5-0 lead.
Erbe hit Alec Trosclair with a pitch with one out.
After a wild pitch advanced Trosclair to second, Fontenot singled home the run and advanced to second on the throw home.
Hillman ran for Fontenot and stole third as Manuel drew a walk.
Comeaux continued the inning with a run-scoring single and another run scored on a wild pitch.
Eunice starting pitcher Caleb Taylor gave up a run to Crowley in the bottom of the second to cut the Bobcat lead to 5-1.
Erbe singled to open the inning and advanced to second on a wild pitch.
A groundout moved him to third and he scored on a groundout by Will Doughty.
Manuel relieved Taylor to open the third inning and he would shutout the Gents over the next four innings, allowing only two hits.
Gents’ reliever Ben Broussard would blank the Cats for four innings, but Eunice would get to the big right-hander in the top of the seventh.
Comeaux singled and Hebert reached on an error to start the seventh inning.
A. P. Sonnier drew a walk to load the bases. A relief pitcher replaced Broussard and promptly walked Taylor to force in a run.
A wild pitch brought home Hebert before Christian Lejeune singled home Sonnier for an 8-1 lead.
The Gents tried to rally against Eunice reliever Alex Richard in the bottom of the seventh.
Crowley loaded the bases on a single, a walk, and an error, then scored two runs on a wild pitch and a walk.
Alec Trosclair relieved Richard and retired the next two batters on a strikeout and an infield popup.
The final out came when Fontenot blocked a Trosclair pitch and caught the Crowley runner in a rundown between home plate and third base to end the game.
The Cats will host Notre Dame on Monday in a 6:30 start before hitting the road to Rayne to face the Wolves on Wednesday.