Firmin’s no-hitter guides Panthers to win

By: LANCE REED

Sports Editor

In a non-district battle, the Panthers of Pine Prairie saw one of its pitchers hurl a no-hitter and guide the team to victory. Bryant Firmin took the hill Saturday with the intention of dominating the Iota Bulldogs. He did just that for seven straight innings.

Firmin’s performance spoke for itself. His team racked up a 4-0 victory. He recorded 12 strikeouts and allowed just three walks. The goose egg in the hits column remained all game long. The Bulldogs reached base in the first inning and the fifth inning. Besides that, the Bulldogs were retired in order in every frame.

Pine Prairie scored two runs in the first inning. With two outs, Firmin doubled to left field. He was 2-2 at the plate with two doubles and two RBIs. He scored on a single from Trevor LeBlanc. A single to left field from Marcus Veillon brought LeBlanc around to score.

In the top of the fifth frame, two more runs crossed the plate. With one out, Zack Blood singled to centerfield. Kaleb Johnson continued the offensive action with another single. Firmin helped his cause again with a double to right centerfield that pushed both runners home.

That would be all the runs Pine Prairie and Firmin would need for the victory. They left Iota with a big victory over a Class 3A opponent.

The Panthers travel to Westminster today to meet the top team in District 6-2A. Pine Prairie is 15-9 on the year and 6-2 in district. The Crusaders are currently 6-1 in district.

The PPHS boys will take on Bunkie in another non-district game Saturday. That action begins at 1 p.m. in Pine Prairie.