BY TRAVIS WEBB
Louisiana State University Eunice
After averaging 16 runs per game this early season, LSU Eunice showed it can win in more than one way as the Bengals edged out Paris JC, 7-4, to close out the weekend series. The Bengals (6-0) swept an opponent in a three-game set for the fifth straight time, dating back to last season.
LSUE were able to get on the board first with a three-run third inning highlighted by RBI singles from Jack Merrifield and Thomas Stevens. Stevens enjoyed a breakout game, and weekend, as the redshirt sophomore collected six hits, three RBIs and four runs scored against the Dragons.
After PJC would answer with a run of its own in the fourth, the Bengals pounced for two more in the fourth after River Town sacrificed Brady Hebert in and Merrifield would double home another run to make it 5-1 LSUE.
The back-and-forth continued as Paris were able to cross two more runs in the fifth inning to get within striking distance, 5-3. The two teams would spar for the next two innings as the bullpens allowed just two hits the next two innings.
The Bengals would finally break through again in the 8th as Javier Vaz led off the frame with a walk. LSUE would load the bases for Hunter Tabb, who sacrificed in Vaz on a fly ball to right field. Bryce LaRocca would execute a squeeze bunt to push the advantage to 7-3.
Tabb and Merrifield were the only Bengals to have multi-hit game in LSUE’s eight-hit afternoon.
Noah Beason would be able to work in traffic in the ninth inning and hold on for the victory. The redshirt sophomore joined Chance Stone, Nathan Holmes and Miles Clack in relief of starter Jerry Couch. Couch (W, 2-0) grabbed the win after tossing four innings, giving up one earned run off two hits and two walks while striking out a pair.
LSUE hits the road for the first time this season on Tuesday with a 6:00PM game against Centenary College.
