Press Release via LSUE Athletics
POPLARVILLE, Ms. – LSU Eunice Baseball used a pair of crooked number innings and another Blake Lobell gem to secure a 7-5 victory over Jones College on Tuesday in the Region 23 Tournament. The Bengals (49-7) played the opening game of the six-team double elimination tournament.
The Bengals were first to strike, using a lead-off double from Dawson Willis in the first inning. Willis advanced to third on a Tyson LeBlanc single and would later score on a Bobcat wild pitch.
Jones would answer in the third to tie but LSUE would squash what could have been a bigger inning for the Bobcats. Blake Lobell induced a bases loaded ground ball to LeBlanc, who would turn the 4-6-3 double play with Willis and end the threat. Lobell responded in impressive fashion after working in the third inning traffic, striking out five of the next seven batters he faced.
Bennett Clement provided the big hit to finally turn the game in the Bengals’ favor, smashing a towering three-run home run to left field in the fifth inning. It was the redshirt sophomore’s second home run of the season.
LSUE added to its lead in the seventh in unconventional fashion with an inside-the-park home run. Tyson LeBlanc lifted a deep fly ball off the elevated wall in centerfield, allowing the two base runners and LeBlanc to score and give the Bengals a commanding 7-1 lead.
LeBlanc joined Dawson Willis with multi-hit games for the Bengals.
Lobell would go 7.1 innings to pick up 13th win of the season, striking out 10 batters while not allowing a walk. It was Lobell’s fifth double digit strikeout game of the season.
Jones would not go away without a fight, scoring four runs in the final two innings. Parker Morgan pitched the final 1.2 innings in relief, helping push LSUE’s strikeout total to 13 for the day.
The Bengals move on in winner’s bracket play to face the winner of Pearl River CC and Hinds CC on Wednesday at 3:30PM.