Bobcats shut out Red Devils

The Eunice High Bobcats improved their District 5-3A record to 4-0 with a 5-0 victory over the Port Barre Red Devils in baseball action Thursday night at Bobcat Field.
Coach Scott Phillips’ Bobcats, now 16-5 overall, took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first against Port Barre pitcher Dale White. Cade Richard was hit by a pitch and stole second base. Logan Manuel doubled to score Richard to take the lead.
The Bobcats added three runs in the third inning to extend their lead to 4-0. Richard reached first base on another hit by pitch, advanced to second on a wild pitch, and scored on a Manuel double. Lejeune was hit by a pitch and courtesy runner Austin Phillips and Manuel both advanced on a wild pitch. Christian Taylor singled both runners home.
Lejeune kept the Red Devils’ offense in check, allowing just two singles over the first five innings. Lejeune ran into control problems in the sixth, loading the bases with one out. Christian Taylor relieved the left-hander and promptly induced a double-play grounder from Jamie Aymond to end the inning.
The Cats would add a fifth run in the bottom of the sixth. Josh Youngblood reached on an error and courtesy runner Ian George took his place on the bases. George stole second base and advanced to third on a groundout by Caleb Taylor. George would score on a perfect drag bunt by Seth Venable, who beat the throw to first base for a single.
Christian Taylor shut out the Red Devils in the top of the seventh inning to end the game. Taylor allowed one hit and walked one. Lejeune worked 5 2/3 innings on the mound, allowing two hits, walking four, and striking out nine.
The Bobcats are scheduled to continue district play on Tuesday when they travel to face Pine Prairie. The Cats return home on Thursday to take on district foe Ville Platte.