Oilers fall to St. Louis

By John Burson

Sports Writer

A four-run first inning proved decisive Monday night as the Eunice Junior Oilers dropped a 6-2 decision to the St. Louis Saints of Lake Charles in American Legion Junior Baseball action at the Eunice High Field.

The loss was the second in a row for the Junior Oilers after starting the season with a 2-0 mark.

Eunice starting pitcher Trent Vidrine struggled with his control in the opening inning, hitting two batters and walking three. Considering that the Saints also added three hits in the inning, Vidrine did well to escape with only four runs scoring.

Vidrine would settle down to retire the Saints in order over the next two innings. He gave up an unearned run in the fourth before being lifted for reliever Matthew Bari in the fifth.

The big blow in the first inning for the Saints was a three-run double from Devon Beaugh. Mason Thigpen added a run-scoring single for the Saints in that inning.

Eunice scored one run in the bottom of the first inning against St. Louis starter Ty Griffen. Jacob Fontenot singled, advanced to second on a ground out, stole third, and scored on a wild pitch.

The Junior Oilers cut the lead to 4-2 with a run in the third. Alex Lee was hit by a pitch and Zac Person drew a walk. A passed ball advanced both runners, with Lee eventually scoring on a wild pitch.

Griffin worked a complete game for the win. Over the final four innings, he would allow only two base runners - a double by Person in the fifth and a walk to Vidrine in the seventh.

Vidrine suffered the loss, working four and one-third innings, allowing five hits, walking four, and striking out five. Bari worked one and two-thirds innings, allowing one hit and one unearned run. He walked three and fanned two. Brodie Olivier pitched a hitless seventh, with one strikeout.

Person’s double was the big hit for the Oilers. Jacob Fontenot, Tyler Fontenot, Lee, and Connor Cortina had singles for the Junior Oilers.

The Junior Oilers were scheduled to host Moss Bluff on Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. Eunice will travel to Jennings on Monday.