LSU-Eunice reserves play key role in 17-7 win over North Lake College

EUNICE, La. – This year’s edition of LSU Eunice baseball is far from a finished product and today was evidence as reserves played a big role in the Bengals’ 17-7 run-rule victory over North Lake College on Saturday at Bengal Stadium. The Bengals had six hits and five runs scored by players that were not on the opening day lineup.

“There are not many jobs on the field or the mound that are solidified,” LSU Eunice baseball head coach Jeff Willis said. “It was good to see guys that got a chance step up, but we need our entire team to elevate their play if we want to be the type of team we are capable of being.”

Reed Babin was one of the bench players to shine on Saturday. The sophomore blasted a two-run home run in the fourth inning to cap off a momentum grabbing seven-run inning. The homer pushed LSUE’s lead to 11-1 after the Bengals crossed runs on a fielder’s choice, wild pitch, sacrifice fly and Thomas Stevens RBI single.

The Bengals allowed the Blazers to creep back into the game with six runs over the next three innings to cut the LSUE lead down to 11-7. LSU Eunice would respond by manufacturing six runs in the seventh and eighth innings, finished off by River Town’s walk-off RBI single to secure the mercy rule.

Babin joined Town, Jack Merrifield, Charles Gordon and Brady Hebert to produce multi-hit games. Hebert led the team with three RBIs, three runs scored and three stolen bases.

Merrifield scored the first run of the game by driving in Town, then would team up with Hebert to drive home three more runs in the second to give LSUE an early 4-0 edge.

On the mound, Drew Lasseigne (W,1-0) picked up his first win in an LSUE uniform after tossing 3.1 innings. The freshman gave up one earned run off one hit and two walks while striking out nine batters. Caleb Seroski, Dalton Burrell and Nathan Holmes also pitched in relief as the Bengal arms totaled 15 strike outs.

LSUE will go for its fifth straight opening weekend sweep tomorrow at 1:00PM. The game can be seen on Bengals All-Access on www.lsuebengals.net.