Destrehan rode into district play this week on a high after scoring victories over Jesuit and Holy Cross at the Gerald Oubre Invitational over the weekend.
The Wildcats’ 3-1 victory over Jesuit came on the back of a strong pitching effort by T.J. Thomas, who remained unbeaten this season while moving to 5-0. Thomas went all seven innings and allowed one unearned run on five hits. He struck out 10 and walked none.
“He’s been our best guy all year,” said Destrehan coach Chris Mire. “He consistently comes out and gives us quality starts and a chance to win every time he comes out. The biggest thing for him is he pounds the strike zone. He doesn’t put himself in bad situations and he dictates what pitch opponent gets to hit. At this level, that’s huge.”
Offensively, Max Jacob and Ty Yoes drove in runs to lead Destrehan (9-7), with Jacob going 2-for-3 at the plate. Destrehan scored one run in the third and two in the fourth to give Thomas some cushion.
Destrehan came down to its final at-bat to break a tie and upend Holy Cross Sunday, winning 7-6 on Dustin Weber’s sacrifice bunt to plate Jacob for the game-winning run. Jacob and Dylan Weber each walked earlier in the inning to set up the score.
“He laid down a perfect bunt,” Mire said.
Holy Cross led 4-0 early, but Destrehan roared back by scoring all seven of its runs in the final two innings, including a five run sixth.
“I didn’t like our energy early, and thought it may be one of those days because we didn’t have a lot of life,” Mire said. “But we got a few guys on base one inning and the guys just woke up and forced an exciting finish.”
Nathan Rhodes earned the win in relief, allowing one run and one hit in an inning of play. He combined with four other pitchers to allow three earned runs for Destrehan. Dustin Weber drove in two runs offensively.
Destrehan absorbed its lone tourney loss to Live Oak, 6-3 on Saturday. T.J. Thomas and Ahman Morris each collected two hits for DHS, with Morris hitting a home run.
The Wildcats will conclude its season series with Central Lafourche today in the opening week of District 7-5A play.
Mire said he believes this season is as wide open as he’s seen it among teams in the district.
“There are probably gonna be a lot of so-called upsets that aren’t really that at all, just unexpected wins,” Mire said. “I think just about every game could go either way, when it comes down to it.”
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