Pine Prairie upsets De La Salle in first round of playoffs

If you ask the number 23 seeded Pine Prairie Panther baseball team, their first round 2-1 playoff win over the number seven seeded De La Salle Crusaders on Monday was no upset; they have been training for this all season long.
“We have played some really tough competition all year long,” said an elated Pine Prairie head coach Scott Butts. “It has gotten us ready for this type of game. I’m real proud of the guys today. Dylan (Doucet) gave us a chance to win. He minimized his walks, which was his goal. He battled tonight. Josh (Fontenot) made a great play to end the game; a great diving catch but really good awareness to get the final out.”
With the win the Panthers advance on to the regional round of the playoffs and will travel to Springfield to take on the North Webster Knights. North Webster defeated Patterson in their first round game by the score of 6-3.
The two teams will face off in a best two out of three series. As of press time, the day and time were not available.
It was Pine Prairie who drew first blood in the contest, scoring their only two runs in the top of the second inning.
Leadoff batter Logan Blood reached first on an error from the De La Salle third baseman. Gavin O’Connor struck out, but Zac Lee was able to reach base on another error; this one from the shortstop.
A sacrifice bunt off of the bat of Cole Thomas moved the runners to second and third. With an opportunity to collect some early runs, Drake Lee ripped a double into the outfield, scoring Blood and Ortego. Dylan Doucet flied out to centerfield to end the inning, but not before the Panthers had the lead.
Doucet was masterful on the mound for Pine Prairie throughout the game. The senior hurler bent but did not break throughout the game, allowing the only De La Salle run in the top of the third inning. Doucet went the distance, giving up three hits, striking out five and walking four.
“I wanted to come out and throw strikes and work ahead of every batter,” Doucet said. “I trusted my team. I let them hit it and let my team make the plays. It feels good because we haven’t had a second round playoff game in a while.”
The Panther defense was also on point, making spectacular plays throughout the game. This included a game ending double play from Josh Fontenot on a diving catch in the outfield and a heads up play to get the lead runner at second base; all of this with the Crusaders threatening to tie the game in the bottom of the seventh.
Lee led all Pine Prairie batters, going two for two with two doubles and two RBI.