By Tom Dodge

sportsenews@bellsouth.net



The thunder rolled around them, but it was the lighting strikes of the Eunice Oilers’ bats that sparked an 11-2 win over the St. Landry Bank Indians Tuesday in American Legion action at Eunice High

Eunice scored four runs in the third, two in the fourth and five more in the bottom of the sixth to seal the one-sided win.

Austin Young went the distance for the Oilers as he struck out six, walked three and had one hitbatsman and limited the Indians to two runs on four hits.

“He did a fantastic job for us,” Soileau said of his pitcher. “He got stronger and stronger as the game went on. I couldn’t have ripped the ball out of his hand heading into the seventh inning he wanted that bad to finish the game.”

The Indians scored first in the top of the third inning when Seth Jarrell doubled and scored when the Oilers allowed the run while turning a double play.

Eunice responded with a four-run rally in the bottom of the frame begun when Jacob Fontenot singled, Mitchell Fuselier walked and they both scored on a triple by catcher Stuart Turner.

Pinch runner Kendall Sam then scored on a sacrifice by Jacque Fruge.

The Oilers closed out the inning with another run as Brett Baldwin singled and scored on a double by Casey Charlie.

Eunice increased its lead to 6-1 in the bottom of the fourth as the Oilers began to put the game away.

Jacob Fontenot singled and then stole three consecutive bases to cross home plate.

Fuselier drew his second walk of the game, promptly moved to the corner on a stolen base and passed ball and then scored on a single by Kaleb Deshotel.

The Indians closed the gap to 6-2 in the top of the fifth inning when Seth Dupre reached on an error and scored on a single by Jarrell.

The game was sealed by a five-run sixth inning where the Oilers batted through the line-up.

Ethan Moser singled, Kendall Sam walked and then Beau Leger was hit by a pitch to load the bases.

Fuselier rapped a single to plate Moser, while Deshotel slammed a triple to clear the bases and push the Oilers ahead 10-2.

Turner then put down a sacrifice to score Deshotel to complete the Eunice scoring.

“We have a good defense and we have the ability to score runs at will,” Soileau said. “But it has been pitching that has been holding us down. That is to be expected early in the season. Hopefully when we get to the second round of district pitching will be there for us.”

With the win Eunice improves to 2-1 in District 7 East, while the Indians fall to 1-2.

Eunice travels to Jennings today.