Jesuit based-Retif Oil secures 4-1 victory over Ponstein’s Food Store in CCS Prep Summer League

NEW ORLEANS – It as been all about pitching and defense for Retif Oil in the Crescent City Sports Prep Summer League.

The Jesuit-based team made it seven straight league wins and eight overall with a 4-1 victory Tuesday night over Holy Cross-based Ponstein’s Food Store at Tiger Park.

Bryce Pitts pitched five shutout innings in an outstanding performance to pick up the win. Pitts allowed just two hits, overcoming four walks with eight strikeouts. Lee Bridgewater pitched the final two innings and Retif Oil played error-free ball once again.

The scoring opened in the top of the third when Gates Barre’ doubled and scored on a wild pitch with lodged in the mask of Ponstein’s catcher Pierce Brodnax. After a meeting between the two umpires, Barre’ was ruled safe.

Retif Oil would add a run in the top of the fourth inning to make it 2-0 after Alex Jeansonne scored on a throwing error and the lead grew to 3-0 in the fifth inning as the Oilers added a run on a throwing error.

Ponstein’s was able to generate multiple base runners in the fourth and fifth innings, but high leverage pitching from Pitts would shut the door with third-out-strikeouts to end both threats.

Retif Oil would scratch another insurance run across in the top of the sixth on a two-out RBI double by Alex Jeansonne, but left fielder Louis Jeffrey saved another run from being scored on a good throw to the plate to record an out and it remained 3-0.

Bridgewater entered the game in relief of Pitts and Ponstein’s was able to score its lone run on a single by Luca Saltaformaggio, scoring Aaron Guichard from third to make it 3-1.

Retif answered with the final run in the top of the seventh on a two-out RBI single from Everett Denny and Bridgewater shut the door at the bottom of the inning for the save, securing the win.

Retif Oil head Coach Kenny Goodlett was very pleased with his team’s ability to put pressure on the opposition’s pitching.

“Any time you can extend innings, get the pitch count up a little bit, and get ourselves in scoring position as well as put together timely hits it’s big,” Goodlett said.

The work of Pitts and Bridgewater also was crucial to the team’s victory, totaling a combined nine strikeouts and only allowing five hits.

“They’ve been preparing the whole year through our prep season, and they earned the opportunity for us to let them do their best and shine—we’re happy with their outing,” Goodlett said.

With the win, Retif Oil remained on top in CCSL play with two games remaining. Retif Oil plays Wednesday at 2:30 p.m. at Hahnville before traveling to Ascension Catholic-based State Farm Thursday.

FINAL

Retif 001 101 1 — 4 7 0, 5 LOB

Ponstein’s 000 001 0 — 1 4 3, 8 LOB

WP—Bryce Pitts

LP—Mason Smith

2B—Gates Barre’, Alex Jeansonne (2), Luca Saltaformaggio, Ross Klein

SB—Hunter Oufnac, Aaron Guichard (2), Denny Trosclair