REPLAY: Brother Martin gets big two-out hit to beat Jesuit for district title

NEW ORLEANS – Two out hits separate winners from losers.

Thursday night at Kirsch-Rooney Stadium, two excellent teams each had one.

Jesuit had one but Brother Martin got the big one late and it produced a coveted Catholic League championship. The Crusaders clinched the title with just one game left in league play.

Reece Roussel ripped an RBI double down the right field line, scoring Andrew Sieta, who had walked and stole second, and that lifted the Crusaders to a 2-1 win over Jesuit before a standing room-only crowd in a game broadcast live on CrescentCitySports.com.

Jesuit (23-7, 7-4) took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning on a walk to Everett Denny, a sacrifice bunt by Michael Brothers and a two-out, RBI single by Tulane commit William Good.

The Crusaders (21-6, 10-1) tied it in the bottom of the third on a single by Egan Prather, a sacrifice bunt by Gavin Berry and a throwing error, scoring courtesy runner Cody Kropp to make it 1-1.

Patrick Laiche yielded the first inning run but followed up with six scoreless innings in a complete game performance to get the win. Laiche allowed just a run on six hits. He walked two and struck out four.

“I just trust my teammates behind me,” Laiche said. “I have all the faith in what my coaches are calling. It’s just go out there and have fun and play the game you’ve been playing since you were a little kid.”

Lee Bridgewater pitched very well in a losing cause, allowing the two runs, just one earned, on only three hits. Bridgewater walked just one, hit a batter and struck out five.

Good and Scout Hughes each had two hits for the Blue Jays.

It is the first district title for Brother Martin since 2019 and the ninth Catholic League title in school history.

“It means a lot, these kids have been through a lot,” Brother Martin coach Jeff Lupo said. “Knowing the history and tradition of this league and what it means to win a district championship, it means a lot to these kids, our school community. A lot of people have been doubting us all year, even into this week. These kids took that personally. Patrick was outstanding.”

Jesuit coach Kenny Goodlett praised Bridgewater’s effort.

“I thought Lee did a great job for us,” Goodlett said. “He battled all night and gave us a chance to win. We had a couple of chances but could not come through. We have to have a great practice tomorrow. We have two games left and we are still working toward a good seed then the next season begins.”

Jesuit entered the game second in the Select Division I power rankings while Brother Martin was third with defending state champion Catholic of Baton Rouge first.

The two teams will conclude 9-5A play Saturday at 2 p.m. at John Ryan Stadium.

FINAL
JES 100 000 0 — 1 6 1, 7 LOB
BM 001 001 X — 2 3 1, 3 LOB
WP—Patrick Laiche (3-1)
LP—Lee Bridgewater (3-2)
SB—Andrew Sieta
2B—Reece Roussel
Time of Game: 1:46