Bobcats roll past Lutcher

The Eunice High Bobcats pounded out nine hits and Bobcat pitching limited the Lutcher High Bulldogs to just one run as the Bobcats claimed an 8-1 victory in the bi-district round of the Class 4A state playoffs Friday afternoon at Bobcat Field.
Coach Scott Phillips’ Bobcats improved their season’s record to 25-7 and will advance to play St. Michael the Archangel in the regional round of the playoffs.
That game is scheduled to be played on Tuesday at 4 p.m. at No. 5 St. Michael (22-9).
The Bulldogs threatened in the top of the first with singles by Gavin Englade and Luke Zeringue, but Bobcat starting pitcher Caleb Taylor got out of the inning thanks to a double play.
The Cats would take a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first as Jake Sonnier ripped a triple into right-center field to score both runs. Scotty Bihm and Wes Hebert had singles in the inning to set up Sonnier’s big hit.
The Cats added two more runs in the fourth inning to go ahead 4-0. Jake Sonnier drew a one-out walk and A. P. Sonnier singled. Brennan Ashley’s sacrifice bunt moved both runners before Kalum Fruge and Gunner Fontenot delivered singles.
Lutcher pushed across a run in the fifth. Phillip Chauvin led off with a double, advanced to third on a bunt, and scored on a groundout by Bailey Brack.
The Bobcats put the game away with four runs in the bottom of the sixth inning. Jake Sonnier singled and A. P. Sonnier drew a walk.
With one out, Fruge drew a walk to load the bases.
Gunner Fontenot lined a hit to center field and when the defender failed to make a diving catch, all three runners scored as Fontenot slid into third base with a triple.
Andrew Lomas drove in Fontenot with a groundout to give the Cats an 8-1 lead.
Bihm came on to relieve Taylor and retired the side in order to end the game. The senior pitcher struck out two of the batters he faced.
Taylor, a sophomore, improved his mound record to 9-1 with a strong six innings of work. Taylor scattered six hits, struck out four, and did not issue a walk. Cameron Guillot suffered the loss for the Bulldogs. He pitched three-and-two-thirds innings, allowing seven hits and four earned runs.
Jake Sonnier, Fontenot, and Hebert had two hits apiece to lead the offensive attack for the Bobcats. Fontenot had four RBI.