Destrehan has rolled to a 7-2 record through two tournaments and nine total games, and one thing is clear: the more games this team plays in a few days, the better off it is. That’s because the Wildcats can count on a serious wealth of pitching ability throughout its rotation and bullpen. When deep into a tournament, many teams have to reach to find someone to muster a solid five innings or more.
Not Destrehan. Even down a starter at last weekend’s Covington tournament, coach Chris Mire could count on a quality performance from both expected and unexpected sources.
“With the staff we have, even when we have to call on someone from our bullpen, we’ve got guys very capable of starting for other teams,” mire said. “We have that 1-2 punch at the top that you need, but down the line we’ve got so many quality pitchers.”
While a seventh inning run lifted St. Paul’s to a 4-3 victory over DHS last week, the Wildcats were able to count on Nolan Lemoine to make a short notice start. He allowed just 1 earned run through 5.1 innings and gave his team a chance to knock off a quality team.
“Knowing we can have a guy miss a start and simply call on a guy from our bullpen to give us a great performance gives me a lot of confidence,” Mire said. “We probably have four or five guys who can get the call and get it done for us in those situations.”
The next three games at the Covington tournament were all victories for Destrehan. Last Friday, DHS survived a Slidell rally to earn an 8-6 win. Destrehan led 8-3 in the game before three Tigers’ runs in the seventh inning closed the gap. Nick Randazzo came in to earn the save for DHS, while starter Brennan Cortez earned the win by allowing one earned run and four hits over six innings. He struck out eight.
Gage Broussard went 2 for 4 with three RBIs for DHS. Brandon Robichaux went 2 for 3 with three runs scored and an RBI.
DHS dominated its next two outings, besting Covington and Fountainebleau by a combined 24-0 score.
The 9-0 win over host Covington was highlighted by Evan Keller and Jared Montz each driving in a pair of runs. Cole Martin, Cameron Stevens and Dennis Thomas combined to throw a shutout, with Martin earning the win and striking out eight.
In a 15-0 win over Fountainebleau, Evan Keller had three hits and three RBIs while Dane Simon, Montz, Robichaux and Brandon Wild each collected two hits. Robicheaux and Andrew Morrow each drove in two runs.
Landon Marceaux and Bryce Scioneaux combined for the five-hit shutout, with Marceaux earning the win.
The game ended after five innings due to the 10-run rule.
Tonight, Destrehan kicks off tournament action again as it faces off with Catholic-Baton Rouge at the East Ascension tournament. Matchups with St. Amant, East Ascension and Dutchtown will follow.
While the Wildcats are playing well, Mire remembers a similar scenario last season that did not go according to plan.
“We’ve kind of circled this weekend,” Mire said. “Last year at this time, we were in the same spot, playing real well, and we go up to this tournament and go 1-3. We’re focused on coming away with a better result this time.”
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