Bats hot early as LSU-Eunice wins rubber game of Coastal Bend series

BEEVILLE, Texas – LSU Eunice collected eight of its 12 hits in the first four innings as an early surge helps the Bengals defeat Coastal Bend, 10-2, on Saturday at Joe Hunter Field. The rubber match win gave LSUE (11-1) its 22nd straight series (three or four games) since 2017.

The Bengals scratched two runs in the first inning thanks in large part to Tristan Welch. The sophomore doubled home Jarrett McDonald and would later score on a wild pitch. Welch collected his second three-hit game of the weekend, driving in two runs and scoring twice.

LSUE pushed its lead to 5-0 in the fourth inning after Javier Vaz drove in a run followed by a Welch’s second run producing hit of the day. Evan Keller would score on the base hit with Jarrett McDonald coming home thanks to one of four Coastal Bend errors.

That was more than enough for Kade Gonsoulin, making his second start of 2019. The freshman tossed five shutout innings, giving up three hits and one walk with one strikeout to pick up his first collegiate win.

Jack Merrifield, Gage Trahan and Tod Gauthe would combine for the final four innings, giving up two runs and two hits.

The Bengals added three insurance runs in the ninth inning with Brooks Rushworth providing a pinch hit two-run double and later scoring on an error off of Austin Kirkpatrick’s groundball to third base.

LSU Eunice returns home for a four game series with Kellogg CC next weekend. The two NJCAA Division II perennial powers will open up on Friday at 6:00PM. The game can be seen live on Bengal All-Access.

Fans can find more news and information by following the baseball team’s Twitter (@LSUEBengalsBSB), Facebook (@LSUEBaseball) and Instagram (@LSUEBengals) accounts.