The Acadiana Cane Cutters clinched the first home playoff game in team history Tuesday with a 3-1 victory over East Texas Pump Jacks.
The Cane Cutters have now made the playoffs three times in four summer seasons, but had to travel the first two games after Tuesday’s win. Second-place Acadiana improved to 14-10 with the win after beginning the day 5.5 games behind first-place Brazos Valley.
The Cutters will play the Pump Jacks again Wednesday on the road and then travel to the Strykers on Thursday, before returning home Friday and Saturday.
Daniel Keating’s speed and Scott Szush’s arm were the heroes of the win. In the fourth inning, Keating singled and scored on James Ziegler’s ground out after stealing two bases.
In the eighth, Keating walked, stolen two more bases and scored on Taylor Braley’s sacrifice fly. The stolen base also played a role in Acadiana’s second run when Conner Short walked, stole second and scored on Alex Tucker’s RBI single.
Szush, meanwhile, allowed just one run on four hits with two walks and four strikeouts in 8.2 innings. Braley came on to record a strikeout on a 3-2 pitch for the game’s final out.
East Texas scored its only run in the eighth when James Lear reached on a fielder’s choice, stole second and scored on Dilon Argo’s RBI single.