Jays earn win over rival Trojans

By Tracey Jagneaux
Ville Platte Gazette
This time there was no trip to the state playoff semifinals on the line.
But it was still an important game for both the Blue Jays and Trojans as teams get ready for their respective district battles.
After downing the Trojans 4-2 in the 2015 quarterfinals, St. Edmund cruised to a 9-5 Wednesday night at Blue Jay Field.
St. Edmund improves to 8-9 on the year and travels to face district opponent False River Academy.
With the loss the Trojans fall to 9-6-1 on the season and will travel to Glenmora on Wednesday.
The Blue Jays grabbed an early advantage with a four-run scoring surge.
After an opening base hit from Keaton Tate, starting Blue Jay pitcher Gibson Lafleur shut down the Trojan threat, not allowing any runs to cross the plate.
Sacred Heart starting pitcher Caleb Soileau walked Blue Jay lead off hitter Cole Bergeron.
The next three Blue Jay batters all singled before Soileau could get the first out of the inning.
Soileau then proceeded to give the next three St. Edmund players free passes.
By the time the inning was over, the Blue Jays held a 4-0 lead.
“They spotted us four in the first inning,” said St. Ed’s head coach Scott Richard. “Their guy just didn’t have a good day.
“We had faced them before and knew that his was good. We were very thankful that we got those first four runs, because I knew it was going to be a war.”
The Trojans responded in the top of the second, picking up a solo run as Nick LaHaye got on base via an error by the first baseman with two out.
Brandon Fontenot walked to put runners at first and second.
Garrick Fontenot reached on a second error and that allowed LaHaye to score from second base.
Jacob A. Lafleur came on to the hill in relief of Soileau to start the bottom of the second and promptly blanked the Blue Jays.
Sacred Heart picked up two huge runs in the top of the third inning to cut the St. Ed’s lead to 4-3.
Jacob A. Lafleur struck out to lead off the top half of the inning.
Jacob L. Lafleur walked and Soileau doubled to put runners at second and third with one out.
A sacrifice by Jacob Dupre and a single off of the bat of Sam Tuminaro plated both Lafleur and Soileau.
Tuminro was caught stealing to end the inning.
Sacred Heart threatened in the top of the sixth inning when LaHaye doubled to lead off the inning.
Brandon Fontenot laid down a perfect sacrifice bunt to move Lahaye over to third base.
This prompted Richard to go to his bullpen and put in relief pitcher Drake Brunet.
Trojan head coach Cody Vidrine rolled the dice and tried a safety squeeze with Garrick Fontenot at the plate.
Unfortunately, the play did not work out as planned, as LaHaye was put out trying to score.
Garrick Fontenot was thrown out at second base attempting to steal for the third out of the inning.
From that point on it was all Blue Jays.
The St. Edmund offense kicked into high gear in the bottom of the sixth, scoring five runs on five hits to give the Blue Jays a 9-3 lead.
Brunet retired the Trojans in order in the top of the seventh to end the game and seal the win.
Soileau picked up the loss for the Trojans on the mound, giving up four runs on three hits, while walking four in one inning of work.
Sacred Heart was led at the plate by Soileau and LaHaye who were both 1-3 with a double.
Lafleur got the win for St. Ed’s, as he pitched five and one-third innings allowing three runs on five hits, while striking out four.
After the game, Sacred Heart’s Vidrine was straight forward on his thoughts of how his team performed.
“We have to play more consistent if we expect to win,” stated Vidrine. “In the game of baseball if you do not throw strikes, if you do not lay down the bunt and you keep hitting pop flies, you will get beat by anybody. If you do not play the game the way it needs to be played you are going to struggle.”