Bobcats rally to win, keep district lead

By John Burson
Sports Writer

The Eunice High Bobcats scored three runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to rally for a 7-6 victory over the LaGrange High Gators in a District 4-4A contest Tuesday night at Bobcat Field.
Coach Scott Phillips’ Bobcats chased Gator starting pitcher Jamal West in the bottom of the seventh as he tried to protect a 6-4 lead.
Bobcat freshman catcher Gunner Fontenot opened the seventh with a single, Andrew Lomas drew a walk, and Jake Sonnier ripped a double into right-center field to drive in Fontenot to cut the lead to one run.
The Gators sent in relief pitcher Kenneth Joubert to intentionally walk Jordan Comeaux to load the bases.
But the move backfired as Joubert issued an unintentional walk to Kalum Fruge to force in Lomas with the tying run.
Wes Hebert then singled to score Sonnier with the winning run.
Pitching dominated the early innings as Eunice High starter Scott Lafleur matched West pitch for pitch through three innings.
But the Gators scored two unearned runs in the fourth, then chased Lafleur in the fifth after he was touched for a single by Hunter Glaude.
Lafleur allowed four hits and one earned run in four and one-third innings of work, walking three and striking out four.
Junior reliever Alec Trosclair allowed a run-scoring single by West to give the Gators a 3-0 lead, but struck out Joubert to end the inning.
The Bobcats got on the scoreboard in their fifth, cutting the lead to 3-1 as Scotty Bihm, who singled to open the inning scored on a single by Lomas.
After Trosclair pitched a scoreless sixth inning, the Cats scored three runs in the bottom of the inning to take a 4-3 lead.
Jake Sonnier began the inning by drawing a walk and advancing to second on a wild pitch.
Comeaux drove in Sonnier with a single and later scored on a single by Hebert. Hebert stole second and eventually scored on a balk by West.
After striking out Jared Fusilier to open the seventh inning, Trosclair issued a walk to Glaude, and Phillips relieved with Fruge.
Andrew Citizen singled and West drew a walk to load the bases. Joubert singled home two runs and later scored on a single by Milton Chretien to put the Gators on top by a 6-4 margin.
That set up the dramatic seventh inning comeback by the Bobcats, who improved to 13-5 overall and to 3-0 in district play. The Cats are scheduled to visit Rayne on Thursday to continue district play.