Demons bow out of playoffs at Oak Grove

An up and down baseball season for Mamou came to an end on Friday, as the Demons exited the class 2A playoffs with a 9-4 loss to Oak Grove. Mamou began the season 2-10. However, once district play began, the Demons evened things out to go 7-7 the rest of the way. Mamou finishes the year with an overall record of 9-17.
The Demons took an early lead over the Tigers, only to see that lead disappear. Mamou plated a run in the top of the second inning when Austin Fontenot doubled and scored on a single by Toby Fontenot. After shutting Oak Grove down in the bottom of the inning, the Demons held a 1-0 advantage over the Tigers.
Mamou lost that advantage the very next inning. The Demons could not manage any offense in the top of the third. Oak Grove went to work at the plate in the bottom half of the inning, scoring three runs to move ahead of Mamou 3-1.
Not losing their composure, the Demons regained control of the game in the top of the fourth. Three Mamou runners crossed the plate giving the Demons the one run lead 4-3. In the inning, Mamou took advantage of Tiger miscues and walks to plate the go ahead runs. Scoring for the Demons were Austin Fontenot, Toby Fontenot and Hunter Fusilier.
Oak Grove quickly squashed any Demon momentum in the bottom half of the fourth. The Tigers used six hits, including four hits with two outs to push six runs across to retake the lead 9-4. It would be all they needed, Mamou could not muster any threat the rest of the game.
Corey Bordelon took the loss for the Demons on the hill. Bordelon toed the rubber in relief of Fusilier, throwing three and one third innings. Bordelon gave up six runs on six hits and struck out two for the Demons.
At the plate, Jude Fontenot was two for four and Ronnie McBride went one for two to lead all Mamou hitters. McBride collected one run batted in. Tanner Rougeau, Austin Fontenot and Toby Fontenot were all one for three at the plate.
Mamou Head Coach Tre Brown complimented his ball club on clawing their way back into the playoff picture. “I really think it was an accomplishment for our team to overcome the way we started out the season and battled our way into the playoffs. Our schedule was really tough at the beginning of the year, which I knew would open things up for us on the back half of the season.”
Brown also addressed the issue of weather and the role it played throughout the course of the year. “This is not an excuse, because I know the adverse weather conditions affected every one in the state, but we were one of those teams that needed to play or practice to stay consistent. The weather did not allow us to do that on a daily basis and I believe was a reason for the inconsistency at the beginning of the season.”
Coach Brown also acknowledged his five senior players for their hard work and dedication. “The seniors of this year were my first freshmen I have coached since I came to Mamou. Their dedication and hard work showed every day. Those guys put their hearts into everything they did. They will be sorely missed.”