There’s nothing certain when it comes to sports, and the Hahnville Tigers (21-7, 7-1) certainly didn’t think they would lose facing the West Jefferson Buccaneers who were 10 games below .500 to start the afternoon, but the Tigers did drop the first in a two game stance against the Bucs, and that’s why they play the games.
But on another gorgeous springtime day on their home turf, the Tigers looked to prove yet again why they are the 5-5A favorite for state this year and they did by playing a nearly flawless game in every aspect.
Playing host to a struggling West Jefferson (6-16, 1-5) squad who actually kept the score close until the fifth inning when the Tigers began to tire out the Bucs’ pitchers, Hahnville scored four runs in sixth inning that sealed the deal and gave them their seventh district win out of eight chances.
Looking to recant the close loss they suffered the day before at West Jefferson, the Tigers drew first blood in the third inning scoring two runs, one after infielder John Gomez drove a shot right into Bucs pitcher James Maison who managed to pitch until the bottom of the fifth, only giving up two hits and two runs before the Tigers added another two in the bottom half of the fifth.
The Tigers showed their defensive prowess and ability to keep cool even under pressure in the fourth after outfielder Brian Young made a near diving shoestring catch in center for the first out before pitcher Taylor Domengeaux hit Sean Etheridge with a pitch to give him a free trip to first base.
An error on the next play put two men on for Esterlin Ramirez who hit into the standard issue four-six-three double play to end the inning and the Bucs chances of scoring.
In the bottom of the fifth, Garrett Loup lines a 3-2 pitch down right field for a double, and a costly error by the Bucs allowed the Tigers to add two runs on a deep shot by Wesley Thigpen who ended up with a double.
Not sure whether to throw home to prevent a run scoring or to get Thigpen running at second, the Bucs threw the ball in to the outfield allowing Thigpen to cross the plate as well putting the Tigers up 4-0.
The Bucs managed to turn a double play to end the inning, but the damage had been done and the Tigers were only looking to add insurance now.
After some sloppy defensive play by the Bucs in the sixth inning, the Tigers managed to load up the bases with two outs.
Thigpen showed off his bat again by sending a shot down the right field line, for a triple scoring all three base runners in the process.
A single by infielder Jordan Stephany drives Thigpen in and that was the end of the Bucs after another scoreless half inning.
Domengeaux (8-0) pitched a complete game allowing only four hits while Maison got the loss to bring his record down to (2-4).
The boys varsity baseball team face-off against Destrehan Thursday, April 19 at 4 p.m. on Tiger territory and again on Thursday, April 26 at 2 p.m. on the Wildcat campus.
The final game of district play is Friday, April 27 against Holy Cross.
Questions? Comments? Email Caleb Frey at calebf@heraldguide.com or call him at 985-758-2795.
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