Oilers shut out Seminoles

By John Burson

Sports Writer

OPELOUSAS - Austin Young pitched a five-hit, complete game shutout and his teammates scored three runs to lead the Eunice Oilers to a 3-0 victory over the Opelousas Seminoles in American Legion District 7-East Baseball action here Monday night at the Westminster Academy Field.

The victory improved the district record of the Oilers to 4-3. The Seminoles, who earlier dropped a 13-11 decision to the Oilers, fell to 3-4 in district play.

Young out-dueled Seminoles’ pitcher Jaryd Pitre in earning the win. Young struck out seven and walked two, while Pitre fanned nine, walked two, and scattered seven hits. Pitre gave up just one earned run in going the distance.

Oilers head coach Danny Soileau praised the mound performance of Young in post-game comments.

“Austin had control of all his pitches tonight,” said Soileau. “He was very focused for the entire game.”

The Oilers took advantage of an error to take a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning. With two out, Stuart Turner reached second base on a two-base error. Jacque Fruge drew a walk before Brett Baldwin singled to drive home courtesy runner Ethan Moser.

The Seminoles threatened to score in the bottom of the third when Young hit a batter and Pitre singled, But Young fanned Neil Hebert and retired Joby Thomasee on an infield fly to end the inning.

Eunice expanded its lead in the fourth inning. Casey Charlie was hit by a pitch to open the inning. He would advance to third as a result of an errant pickoff attempt at first base by Pitre, and he would score on a single up the middle by Kendall Sam.

Sam stole second base and, with two out, he would score on a single by Kaleb Deshotel for a 3-0 lead.

The Oilers threatened to extend their lead in the fifth inning. Tyler Fontenot was hit by a pitch to start the inning, but was forced at second on a grounder by Turner. Consecutive singles by Fruge and Baldwin loaded the bases, but Pitre would strike out the next two batters to end the inning.

The biggest threat by the Seminoles came in their sixth inning. Thomasee drew a walk to start the inning. With one out, Shaq Belson singled to put runners at first and second base.

Nathan Lewellyn then lined a single to right field and Thomasee rounded third looking to score. But Eunice right fielder Tyler Fontenot made a perfect relay throw to first baseman Baldwin, who then relayed the ball to Turner, allowing the Oilers’ catcher to easily tag out Thomasee for the second out. Young retired the next batter, Nic Talevich, on an infield fly to end the inning.

Belson and Pitre led the Seminoles with two hits apiece.

The Oilers were led by Fruge and Baldwin, each of whom had two hits. Deshotel, Sam, and Turner added singles to round out the Oilers’ offense.