Eunice rolls past Highland in AE tourney

YOUNGSVILLE – The Eunice High Bobcats opened the Ascension Episcopal Baseball Tournament here Thursday evening with an 18-3, five-inning romp over Highland Baptist.
The Bobcats, now 10-5 overall, jumped ahead early with a five-run first inning off Highland pitcher Blake Bourque. Cade Richard drew a walk to open the game and Logan Manuel was hit by a pitch. Wesley Hebert launched a home run over the left-center field fence for a 3-0 lead. Christian Taylor lined a triple down the right-field line and scored on a double by Christian Lejeune. An error allowed Lejeune to score the fifth run.
The Cats would add 10 runs in the second inning. Hebert had a double, a triple, and two RBI to lead the Bobcat attack, while Lejeune added a two-run homer to highlight the inning which saw 14 batters come to the plate for the Bobcats as they increased their lead to 15-0, despite Coach Scott Phillips bringing in players off the bench to hit.
Christian Lejeune benefited from the scoring barrage as the Bobcat starting pitcher. He did not allow a run or a hit before giving way to sophomore Jayden Brasseaux and freshmen Tyler Darbonne and Austin Phillips to finish the game.
The Cats scored three more runs in the third inning, with the help of three errors by the Highland defense. Brady Smith and Brandon Martel had singles in the inning for the Cats.
Highland got on the scoreboard in the fifth inning, scoring three runs on a double by Bourque and singles by Matt Nappier and Luke Hayes.
The Bobcats were scheduled to face Cecilia High Saturday evening to complete their part in the tournament.