Offense guides Panthers to second round

Submitted by admin on Mon, 04/28/2008 - 19:23

By: LANCE REED

Sports Editor

The Pine Prairie Panthers got revenge over the Riverside Academy Rebels Thursday in the first round of the Class 2A playoffs. They drilled the Rebels, who eliminated the Panthers in previous seasons, 8-0 in front of a big Pine Prairie crowd. The boys in orange and black made their fans proud with a big offense-driven victory. The PPHS team collected 10 hits, including three doubles and a home run.

Pine Prairie scored in the bottom of the second inning and never looked back. Trevor LeBlanc singled and Ben Bordelon came in the game as a courtesy runner. On the next pitch, Bordelon stole second and then swiped third on an error. A fielder’s choice from Brandon Guillory brought Bordelon home. Later in the inning, Caleb West drove a pitch over the left field wall for a solo home run.

The Panthers increased their 2-0 lead in their next trip the plate. Bryant Firmin (3-4, BB) singled to center field to get the inning going. Jonathan Fontenot (2-4, DB) laced a double and that put runners at second and third base. Robert Vidrine (2-4, DB, 2 RBIs) drilled a double of his own to plate both Firmin and Fontenot. Late in the inning, Caleb Johnson snuck an infield single, allowing Vidrine to cross the pentagon.

With a 5-0 lead, Pine Prairie pitcher Brandon Guillory was set to do his business. He worked all seven innings and scattered only three hits. The young man was on fire and hit his spots all night long.

In the bottom of the fifth frame, the Panthers found three more insurance runs. Fontenot singled to left field and Vidrine reached on an infield single. A passed ball moved the runners into scoring position. Later in the inning, a pickoff move went bad and Fontenot found the plate. Vidrine crossed the dinnerware on a passed ball. Guillory was hit by a pitch in the inning. He would score the eighth run of the game for Pine Prairie when Caleb West stroked a double. West ended the night (2-4, DB, HR, 2 RBIs).

The Panthers will now faced top-ranked Sterlington. According to PPHS Head Coach Tim Rodriguez, that game will take place Tuesday. However, at press time, a time had not be set for the contest. Please contact the school for that information. The game will take place at Sterlington High School in the Monroe area.