Destrehan Wildcats finding groove as team sweeps rival Hahnville

Destrehan’s Cole Porter (2) leads a group of Wildcats to celebrate with a teammate who crossed home plate.

Destrehan has been playing its best ball of the season, highlighted so far by a rare sweep in the season series between the Wildcats and archrival Hahnville Tigers.

The Wildcats (13-10 2-2) earned a 7-0 victory at home over Hahnville last Thursday, riding some clutch at-bats and the arm of Bryce Scioneaux, who pitched a complete game shutout to earn the victory.

It was the first sweep by either team over a three season span.

“I thought our focus was a little better than it was last Tuesday,” Destrehan coach Chris Mire said. “We controlled our emotions better and kept putting the pressure on. (Hahnville) made some uncharacteristic mistakes that allowed us to kind of open it up.”

The pitching of Scioneaux and Landon Marceaux, who earned the win in the previous game between the teams two days earlier, was a major key in both victories.

“Bryce seemed to be very comfortable from the first pitch on, and he really had everything working,” Mire said. “He controlled the game from beginning to end.”

Scioneaux finished the game with nine strikeouts over his seven innings on the mound. He allowed five hits and walked two.

Dustin Joliff went 2-for-4 with three RBIs to lead DHS at the plate. T.J. Thomas and Bryce Rochelle scored three and two runs, respectively.

“We had some really good at bats in the first inning,” Mire said. “Dustin Joliff, had a nice two out RBI to put us on the board … we put up two 3-spots, rare in this rivalry. That was really predicated on us taking advantage of our opportunities.”

For Hahnville, Josh Nunez led the team at the plate with a pair of hits. Matt Champagne took the loss, going four innings and allowing seven runs (one earned) on four hits and a walk. Hahnville committed seven errors in the game, while DHS made none.

Destrehan has won eight of its last 10 games, the team’s two losses in that span coming at the hands of district foe Central Lafourche.  Mire said it’s been a matter of regaining health on the field and within his team’s mindset that’s allowed the Wildcats to find the consistency needed to drive a sustained run of winning.

“We’re taking care of what we talk about every day,” Mire said. “We take care of our pitching and defense first and make sure we don’t lose the game (in those areas). Then we keep putting pressure on people and try to get a guy in scoring position every inning. The biggest thing is our guys have been able to have quality at-bats and not leave anyone stranded.”

Destrehan followed up the Hahnville win by splitting two games, falling to Central Lafourche in district play, 3-2, and besting Zachary 5-2 in non-district action.

Destrehan will play Thibodaux today on the road at 6 p.m. before hosting the second leg of the series on Saturday at 1:30 p.m.

HAHNVILLE BOUNCES BACK, SWEEPS ESJ: Hahnville moved to 12-11 on the season after earning a pair of wins over East St. John, winning 6-2 at home and 8-1 on the road.

Cameron Galland and Beau Landry each earned two hits to lead the Tigers in the 8-1 win Saturday, both driving in a run and scoring two. Champagne collected three RBIs and hit a home run, and Josh Nunez drove in two runs.

Dane Wise earned the win for Hahnville, allowing three hits and one earned run over a complete game effort. He struck out six and walked one.

In the rematch on Tuesday, Hahnville broke open a 2-2 tie by scoring four runs in the fifth inning. Nunez went 2-for-4 with three RBIs to lead the Tigers offensively. Joey Saucier earned the win by going six innings and allowing two earned runs on two hits. He struck out eight. The Tigers moved to 2-2 in District 7-5A play with the wins.

 

About Ryan Arena 2946 Articles
Sports Editor

Be the first to comment

Leave a Reply