The Hahnville lineup has been a tough riddle to solve for opposing teams this season – pitch around one strong batter, and there’s another behind him, and another right after.
And that was the case Thursday as Hahnville captured a 7-3 Game 1 victory to begin its second-round best-of-three series against visiting Northshore.
Hahnville’s Brayden Fontenot, Landen Teague and Luke Heiden combined to go 6-for-9 with two home runs and seven RBIs – including a combined 3-for-3 with six RBIs by Teague and Heiden following intentional walks – to help power Hahnville, which is now one win away from a trip to the state quarterfinals.
“Everybody does their part, everybody does their job,” said Teague, who went 2-for-3 with three RBIs and recorded the save on the mound. “When it’s your turn, you just try not to make the moment bigger than what it is.”
Game 2 of the series is set for 4 p.m. Friday in Boutte. Hahnville will host Game 3, if necessary, Saturday at 1 p.m.
Friday’s win was the 19th in a row for Hahnville, which had almost two weeks off after its final regular season game on April 11, as the Tigers earned a first-round bye. Hahnville played an exhibition against E.D. White on April 17 to maintain its form – seemingly mission accomplished.
“We were ready to go. We prepared the whole time, we do what we do, and that (bye in Round 1) helps your body get right for this round,” Teague said.
Likewise, Hahnville head baseball coach Jared Vial said his team was ready to get the playoffs started – and the lineup was ready to hit.
“We had a good approach against (Northshore starter Connor Smith),” said Vial. “We knew he was going to be tough – he’s a Jones commit for a reason. We capitalized on his mistakes, what he left over the plate. We were able to load the bases a few innings in a row … just chipping away and finding that timely hit. Our guys came to play today, and I’m happy for them.”
For the Tigers (29-6), Brayden Fontenot went 2-for-3 with a home run, three runs scored and an RBI. Luke Heiden went 2-for-3 with a home run, three RBIs and a run scored. Kaleb Guarisco and Teague each stole a base.
Matt Plaisance earned the start in Game 1. He went 5.1 innings to earn the win. He allowed two runs on three hits and three walks, striking out three.
“We’ve been itching to play all week,” Plaisance said. “I came in focused on throwing strikes, pitching to contact and keeping my pitch count low … (once Hahnville got the lead) it really helps a lot. It gives you a little boost and puts you in another place the next inning. The job’s not finished but it’s a big win.”
Said Vial, “He threw well. He did exactly what we needed him to do. Once we got into the sixth, we went to Landen to close it out … (Plaisance) has been big for us. He showed out today. We knew we could count on him for a quality start, and he delivered.”
Teague closed the game, going 1.2 innings, striking out three and allowing one run on two hits and two walks.
Connor Smith started for Northshore (26-9), taking the loss. He allowed three runs on six hits and six walks. He struck out seven. Aviel Johnson led the Panthers offensively, hitting a solo home run.
Teague got Hahnville started with an RBI single in the first inning to make it 1-0.
Northshore tied the game on Johnson’s solo home run in the top of the third inning.
Hahnville jumped ahead by two runs in the third, with Eli Landry leading off the inning with a single. Fontenot bunted him over to second – the throw to second wasn’t in time and that put runners on first and second with no outs. Guarisco lined out on a hot shot to third base and an impressive catch by Dane Gray.
That brought up Koa Romero, who was intentionally walked for the second time to load the bases. As was the case in the first inning, Teague again came through, driving home two more runs on a single to make it 3-1.
Northshore drew within one run in the top of the sixth on Derek Weilbaecher’s RBI single.
But the Tigers brought fireworks in their half of the inning, starting with a solo home run by Fontenot to make it 4-2. Guarisco walked, and with one out Teague was intentionally walked.
That brought up Heiden with two on – he blasted the first pitch out of Tiger Field and made it 7-2.
There was a bit of drama in the seventh, despite that five-run lead. Northshore loaded the bases with two outs and scored when Kole Brackman drew a walk. But Teague struck out Weilbaecher to end the game and seal the win.
Vial said he was a bit concerned with the layoff after the last regular season game, but that his players didn’t let it affect them in the end.
“You typically worry about the bye, if you’re gonna get lax, but they were hungry for the past two weeks. We had two weeks of really good practice. Trying to preach to them the mental side of handling the bye – we were lucky enough to have it. Hopefully in the future we do again. We came out ready to play today.
“But the job’s not done. It’s good to win one, but you’ve gotta win two to advance.”
