Press Release via LSUE Athletics
EUNICE, La. – LSU Eunice freshman pitcher McCray Jacobs kept North Iowa Area CC in check before a late offensive surge helped the Bengals secure an 11-1 run-rule victory in eight innings on Sunday at Bengal Stadium. LSUE (26-1) would score eight unanswered runs in the final three innings to produce the team’s 14th mercy rule victory of the season.
Jacobs was locked in a pitching duel for most of his outing, making his first start of the season. The left-hander retired the first nine batters of the game in order before facing a bases loaded situation with one out in the fourth. The freshman showed resolve in the inning, striking out a batter before inducing a grounder to third to get the Bengals out of the inning.
Getting out of the jam helped preserve a three-run lead LSUE built an inning before. The Bengals got on the scoreboard first using a pair of errors and an Aidan Mouton sacrifice fly to make it 3-0 LSUE after three innings.
Jacobs would give up his only run of the game after a lead off double would result in a sacrifice grounder. LSUE answered with two more runs as Tyler Mitchell produced a RBI single, followed by Jackson Legg fielder’s choice that would score Mitchell.
Jacobs’ day would come to an end in the seventh after leaving one runner stranded. The southpaw scattered six hits while not issuing a free pass. He would strike out four batters in the win.
LSUE would pad its lead with four runs in the seventh as Ashton Fuselier, Cash Riley and Tyson LeBlanc brought home RBIs in addition to Fuselier scoring on a wild pitch. The Bengals would set in the run-rule an inning later with a bases loaded walk before a RBI single by Aidan Mouton gave the Bengals a ten-run lead.
Mitchell enjoyed a breakout game making his third start at catcher, recording a 4-for-5 game with an RBI and three runs scored. Mouton was the other LSUE player to have a multi-game while Fuselier was responsible for three runs scored.
Mouton would finish the game on the mound, striking out a batter in an inning of work.
LSUE heads out to Sterlington on Tuesday for a neutral site game against SAU Tech with a 4:00PM start time. The Bengals return home next weekend for the start of LCCAC play, hosting Baton Rouge CC for a three-game series. The set begins Saturday with a 2:00PM doubleheader from Bengal Stadium.
