February 23, 2005

Tigers see what Brown can do for them

Starter strikes out 11 in shutout victory over Fontainebleau

By Eric LeBlanc
Sports Editor
(Photo by ERIC LEBLANC)

The first batter of the game, centerfielder Ryne Madere, was all starting pitcher Jordan Brown needed to give the Tigers a 3-0 victory Monday afternoon over the Fontainebleau Bulldogs.

Brown struck out 11 and only allowed two hits in a complete-game shutout. Madere led off the game with a solo home run and that would be all the Tigers would need. Madere was two for four in the game with two runs scored. Left fielder Aramie Melancon was two for two with a walk and a run scored while catcher Andrew Hickman provided the game's only other RBI.

Brown struck out the first batter he faced in the game and had two strikeouts after the first inning. Then Madere lifted his solo shot to center to give the Tigers a 1-0 lead. Melancon then singled but was picked off. Brown and Hickman then both reached on errors and first baseman Wesley Thigpen loaded the bases by getting hit by a pitch. But the Tigers settled for a one-run lead going into the second inning.

Brown wasted no time with the batters in the second by striking out all three. In the third, he also retired the side in order. Meanwhile, the Tiger bats were silent until the fifth.

The Bulldogs threatened in the fourth after the leadoff hitter struck out but reached base on an error. After another error, Thigpen threw the leadoff hitter out at the plate to preserve the lead.

The Tiger offense started up again in the fifth. Second baseman Steven Burns led off the inning with a walk and stole second, but was caught trying to steal third. Madere then doubled and was followed by a Melancon single. Brown was then hit by a pitch to load the bases. Hickman then fought a battle at the plate, fouling off several pitches before being hit himself and driving in Madere for a 2-0 Tiger lead. Right fielder Charlie Harrell then reached on an error and brought in Melancon to give Hahnville a 3-0 lead.

Brown allowed his second hit of the game in the sixth, but erased it on a double play from the next batter. He then struck out three of the last four batters of the game to give the Tigers the victory.

The Tigers will next play in the St. Amant Baseball Tournament this weekend.

Eric LeBlanc can be reached at EricL@heraldguide.com or at (985) 758-2795, ext. 219.