Mamou All-Stars take fifth at state

The Mamou Elite Eight-year-olds had to come out at least sixth in the Dixie Youth State Pitching Machine Tournament in order to advance to the World Series. With an overall record of 17-1, the Mamou youngsters did just that and placed fifth at the event in Pineville.
Mamou suffered only one loss in the event. That was a 16-11 loss to Minden. In the loss, Minden went up early and managed to hold onto the lead. Mamou battled back hard in the end. After scoring just two runs in the early part of the game, they put up nine runs in the back half of the game and made it close. Peyton Berzas, Briggs Ardoin, Tavon Deville and D.J. Arvie each had a perfect 3-3 day at the plate.
Mamou collected several wins, despite the loss. They crushed East Ouachita 16-1. Mamou scored four runs in the first two trips to the plate and then five runs in the third inning. Deville and Ethan Soileau each went 3-3 at the plate and scored three times.
Mamou slipped past Benton 9-8. The local boys scored seven runs in the second inning and that was enough to keep their northern opponent at bay. The defense was very stubborn at the end of the game and managed to do the trick.
Gavin Lafleur led the offense, going 3-3, while Alex Dick and Gavin Jack were each 2-2.
Mamou had to hold firm and get a 7-6 win over Thibodeaux at the end of the game. Mamou took a 4-0 lead early, before the All-Stars from Thibodeaux came back to tie the game. Late in the contest, Deville scored the winning run on a single from A.J. Arvie. M.J. Kilbarger led the Mamou offense, going 3-3 at the plate.
Mamou pounded Moss Bluff 18-1. The boys in green and white scored 18 runs in the first inning and never looked back. Gavin Jack and Dez Skinner each went 2-2 at the plate. However, Ethan Soileau, Briggs Ardoin and Deville were each 3-3 with the stick.
Against Alexandria, Mamou scored three runs in the first inning, setting the tone for the game. Kilbarger led the Demons at the plate. He was 3-3 and he scored twice. Gavin Lafleur was 2-3 and he crossed the dish twice. Mamou earned two insurance runs late in the game, helping the boys from the western part of Evangeline Parish get the win.
Mamou and West Monroe East battled in a close game before Mamou took a 15-7 win. Mamou put up nine runs in the first inning and never looked back. From there, six more runs came home in the second inning.
At the plate, Lafleur led the charge again. He had a perfect 3-3 day. Caliou Thibodeaux, Tavon Deville, A.J. Arvie, Alex Dick and Gavin Jack each went 2-2 for Mamou.
The Mamou youngsters and their devoted fans and parents are currently collecting donations and doing all they can to make their trip to the Dixie Youth World Series a memorable and successful one. They will be playing in Longview, Texas. Their action begins next Friday in the lone star state.