Bobcats fall to Vikings, 8-6

OPELOUSAS – The Eunice High Bobcats fell just short in their opening game of the season, falling to 8-6 to host Opelousas Catholic on Friday afternoon.
Coach Scott Phillips’ Bobcats scored a run in the top of the first for the early lead off starting pitcher T. J. Venable.
With one out, Andrew Lomas doubled down the left-field line and Jordon Comeaux was hit by a pitch. Lomas scored as he hustled home as the Vikings attempted to turn a double play on a ball hit by A. P. Sonnier, who was safe on an errant throw from the shortstop.
Eunice starting pitcher Scotty Bihm struck out the first two batters in the bottom of the first, but the Vikings managed to put together five hits in a row to score four runs.
Big hits in the inning was a triple by Venable, a run-scoring single by Daniel Richard, and a three-run triple by Kurt McKissick.
Both pitchers retired the side in order in the second inning, and the Cats would tie the score with three-runs in their third inning.
With one out, Jake Sonnier singled and Lomas reached on an error. Comeaux singled home a run and he and Lomas would cross the plate on a two-run single by Kalum Fruge.
But the Vikings responded in the bottom of the third with Richard delivering a two-run double and Jacque Savoy driving Richard home with a single for a 7-4 lead.
The Vikings added another run off Bobcat reliever Wes Hebert in the fourth, but senior reliever Scott Lafleur got the final two outs to keep the game at 8-4.
Lafleur would shut out the Vikings over the next two innings.
The Cats cut the lead to 8-6 with single runs in the fifth and sixth.
Lomas led off the fifth by drawing walk and hustling to second base as the ball got passed the catcher.
Comeaux doubled to score the run, but was thrown out trying to advance to third.
A. P. Sonnier doubled and Fruge drew a walk, but Alex Richard was retired on a ground out to end the inning.
In the sixth, Gunner Fontenot had a one-out single but was erased on a fielders’ choice off the bat of Taylor Hanks.
Hanks stole second and scored on a single by Lomas. But McKissick, in relief, retired the side stranding runners at second and third. McKissick shut down the Cats in the seventh to end the game.
The Cats were scheduled to face False River at 1 p.m. on Saturday and Catholic of Pointe Coupee at 9 a.m. on Sunday to complete the tournament.
The Cats are scheduled to host Mamou on Monday, weather permitting.