Oilers fall in Legion opener

By Rhett Manuel

Sports Correspondent

Missed opportunities played a large role in the Eunice Oilers’ 8-3 loss to the Crowley Millers to open the American Legion season on Tuesday at Bobcat Field.

However, the Oilers did shine on occasion, especially early in the game. Starting pitcher Austin Young looked especially sharp, striking out the side in the top of the first inning.

The Oiler offense rode the early tides of momentum with a two run first inning, led by a two out, two RBI single from first baseman Brett Baldwin.

Crowley would respond quickly, with a three-run, two-out rally in the second inning, started by centerfielder Kyren Benoit’s walk, then bookended by a double by Brett Broussard.

Much of the Oiler woes over the course of the evening could be attributed to the patience of the Miller batting order, when on many occasions it often worked ahead in the count.

”We fell behind a lot of the batters.” Oiler head coach Danny Soileau said after the game. “We’d fall behind 2-0 (balls and strikes), then force ourselves to throw something over the plate, and they took advantage of it and hit it hard. Our pitching needs to get a lot better, and it’s only the first game, it will.”

Pitching was not the only concern facing the Oilers on this evening. The team hit into two double plays, and combined to strike out seven times.

“We had missed opportunities to score runs, and it hurt us early. We had two or three opportunities to score runs, and we didn’t get it done.” Coach Soileau also said.

After scoring three runs in the first two innings, the Oiler lineup was limited to only three hits the rest of the ballgame, thanks in large part to the relief work of the Crowley Miller starting shortstop Bryan Gilbert, who in two innings walked one and struck out one.

Crowley hitters consistently found a way to score, manufacturing one run in the fourth and sixth innings, and three insurance runs in the seventh.

Leading the Oilers offensively were Mitchell Fuselier and Austin Young, each contributing two hits, and Brett Baldwin, with two RBIs on the evening.

Miller pitcher Bryan Gilbert picked up the win

Chris McCoy was handed the loss.

In a rough fourth inning, he walked three batters.

Young was very solid in a no decision, striking out three batters in three innings of work.

The Oilers face the Opelousas Seminoles 7 p.m. today at the Bobcat Field.