Jesuit rallies to take 6-4 win over Pineville in Division I Select baseball semifinals

Everett Denny’s two-run single in the fifth inning completed Jesuit’s comeback from a 4-0 deficit to help the second-seeded Blue Jays take a 6-4 victory over sixth-seeded Pineville in Division I Select semifinals Thursday at Sulphur’s McMurry Park.

The Blue Jays scored four runs in the decisive home half of the fifth inning capped by the junior Denny’s key tie-breaking hit to right field driving in freshman pinch runner Marshal Serio and sophomore Connor Donnelly. Jesuit had scored solo runs in the third and fourth innings leading into the four-run outburst.

“The character of the team is, we are resilient. Anytime it’s a one-run game, we always find a way,” said Denny, who came to the plate with the Blue Jays down 4-3. His game-winning hit came after the second Pinevlle passed ball tied the game. “Again today, we did (rally) down four, and we’re going to continue to do it all year.”

‼️ Coming through in the clutch ‼️

‘24 Denny Everett (@everettdenny03) drives a big 2RBI single for @JHSNolaBaseball! Jesuit now leads 6-4 in the 5th!

Jesuit HS | 2024 | LA#Uncommitted #2D2024 #2DHitting pic.twitter.com/2YRlCWi1X7

— 2Dsports Baseball (@2D_sports) May 11, 2023

Senior Tulane commitment William Good pitched the first two innings but did not return to the hill for Jesuit after a 75-minute delay due to the threat of lightning in the area.

When play resumed, Pineville (23-13) took a 4-0 lead after a three-run home run Alex Courville in the third inning off of senior Bryce Pitts, who allowed four runs in the third but managed a pair of scoreless frames afterwards to earn the win.

Senior reliever Gates Barre pitched two scoreless innings for the save while allowing just one infield hit.

Blue Jays senior Alex Jeansonne and junior Patrick Berrigan had RBI singles. Two other Jesuit runs came across on passed balls.

“I’m so proud of these kids. When we were down, not one time today did they look out (of it). We felt like were were going to win. All we had to do was chip back. We didn’t need them all at one time. We just took it one (run) at a time,” said Jesuit head coach Kenny Goodlett.

“We all knew from the beginning of the season that we’ve worked so hard that nothing can stop us,” Denny stated.

Jesuit (30-7) reached the state finals for the second time in three seasons including a win the 2021 Division I championship over C.E. Byrd.

Next up, the Blue Jays face Catholic League rival Archbishop Rummel. In the other semifinal Thursday, the No. 13 Raiders rolled to a 8-2 victory over the top-seeded Catholic Bears.

The Blue Jays swept a pair of one-run games against the Raiders in district play. The teams meet again Saturday at 5 p.m. on Field 40 at McMurry Park for the championship.