Blue Jays fall to St. Landry Bank
By Tom Dodge
BELLEVUE – The Eunice Blue Jays jumped out to a 2-0 first inning lead but could not hold off St. Landry Bank as the Indians grabbed a 5-3 win in American Legion baseball action Thursday at the Westminster Christian Academy field.
“The high school season is so stressful fighting for the district and the playoffs,” Blue Jay head coach Tre Brown said. “In the summer we can come out and just enjoy the game, be aggressive and do the best you can.”
The Blue Jays (0-2) scored first when Tyler McGee singled and moved to third base on Tyler Rodriguez’s double to left field.
McGee scored on a wild pitch, while Rodriguez was plated on Wesley Richard’s double as the Blue Jays completed a two-out rally.
St. Landry Bank closed the gap to 2-1 in the bottom of the first inning when lead-off hitter Seth Jarrell singled and scored on a double by Kyle Arnaud.
The Indians tied the game in the bottom of the second inning when Nick Artall drew a walk and scored on a single from Caleb Castille.
St. Landry Bank took a 4-2 advantage in the bottom of the fourth inning, a lead the Indians would not relinquish.
Oliver Leblanc and Castille hit back-to-back singles to start the frame and Seth Dupre singled down the right field line to score Leblanc.
Two batters later, Kyle Vidrine singled to center to plate Castille before Blue Jay starter Mac Manuel fanned Arnaud to end the inning.
St. Landry Bank added an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth inning when Castille singled and scored on a single from Seth Jarrell.
The Blue Jays threatened in every inning but left eight runners on base in the seven-inning contest.
“The hits are going to come around,” Brown said. “We are not practicing every day and they aren’t getting as many reps playing every day.”
The St. Edmund–based team finally scored again in the top of the seventh inning when Richard walked, advanced to second on a wild pitch and then stole third and home to close the gap to 5-3.
After facing DeRidder on Friday, the Blue Jays return to District 7 East action 7 p.m. Tuesday against Jennings at North Park.