The Teurlings Catholic Rebels captured the Division II Select LHSAA State Championship over St. Louis Catholic in an extra inning thriller by a score of 3-2. The Rebels used a great pitching performance and early offense to win the title.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
The game began with Teurlings at bat, and they got to work right away. Two walks put runners on, and a sacrifice bunt moved them over. Then, Jack Purser came through with a two-run single to put the Rebels out front in the early going.
Teurlings sent Jace Garber to the mound to start the game. He was very effective, especially working out of jams. Despite the Saints loading the bases with just one out in the first inning, Garber got out of the frame with no damage done.
After the first, the Rebels led 2-0 and both pitchers were able to settle in. There would not be another run scored until the bottom half of the sixth inning.
In that sixth, the Saints got runners aboard with a single and an error. Then, a sacrifice bunt moved the runners to second and third. A passed ball and a sacrifice groundout gave St. Louis the two runs they needed to tie the game.
After that, the teams continued to match each other zero for zero. Neither team scored in the seventh, sending the game to extra innings. The eighth, ninth, and tenth innings came and went as well with the score tied at two.
Finally, Teurlings got some offense in the eleventh. Two walks and a hit by pitch loaded the bases. Then, it was an error on the Saints that brought home the go-ahead run for the Rebels. They held on for the thrilling victory, largely due to a great relief performance from Evan Vincent out of the bullpen.
BIG NUMBER: 11
It took eleven innings for Teurlings to capture the state championship. Both teams fought and stayed in it, but the Rebels finally pushed through.
PLAYER OF THE GAME: Jack Purser
Purser’s two RBIs way back in the first inning were critical in this one. He also found a way on base in the eleventh inning, helping the Rebels take the lead.