Day 2 for the 11-12 Dixie Youth Boys State Tournament
Saturday, July 23, 2022
Lasalle Park
Metairie, LA
Jefferson Parish
Written By: Chip Ravaglia, JPRD Roving Reporter
THE TITIANS OF THE EAST BANK CLASH IN THE SECOND ROUND
The Girard Vikings Beat The Miley Cardinals 16-1
A Solid Pitching Performance by Jace Delatte Coupled with
The Vikes Hammering out 16 runs on 9 hits were too much for the Cardinals.
Three Round Trippers were “Smashed” by Vikings’
Delatte, Cameron Guitterrez and Christian Gadola
When the brackets were posted all eyes were focused with the possibility of Girard and Miley locking horns with the winner in the drivers seat of the tournament and enhance their chances to represent Jefferson Parish in the Dixie Youth World Series to be held in a few weeks.
In the first, Miley’s starter Grayson Schexnaildre could not settle in as he tossed 23 pitches and only recorded 2 strikes while walking five consecutive batters. He was charged with 4 runs and did not record an out during his brief appearance on the hill. Coach Kevin Lane replaced Grayson with Bryson Baxter. Bryson retired the first batter on a pop to second baseman Roy Taylor to record the first out of the inning. He then fanned the next two Vikings to close out the top of the first. Two mental breakdowns by the Cardinals’ defense contributed to 2 of the 4 runs.
In the Cardinals half of the first they were baffled by Vikings’ pitcher, Jace Delatte. His inning of work registered 3 up – 3 down with a pair of K’s.
Girard continued their “Power Surge” in the second. With 1 out, Blake Pitts got on via an infield single when no one covered first on a ball hit to the right side of the infield. Next Delatte was issued a base on balls to place runners at 1st and 2nd. The next hitter, Austin Guedry walked to load the bases. On cue, Brennan Chaix delivered by driving the first pitch to the fence for a two run double to up the score to 6-0. Girard tacked on 2 additional runs in the frame and went up 8-0.
The rout was on!
The Girard Scoring Machine continued to produce in the third. They added 7 of their runs with a two run homer by Jace Delatte and Cameron Guitterrez launched a three run round tripper to deep center. Not to be left out on this merry go round, Christian Gadola hit a rocket over the left field fence to score 2 more runs.
Also, contributing to the offensive production on the night were Cooper Couret, Josh Pourciau and Austin Guedry ( 3 BB 3 runs). Not to be overlooked is catcher Austin Guedry for his excellent framing and blocking skills demonstrated in the first two games of the tournament.
Contributing for the Cardinals on the night were Blake Salinger and Braden Dejean with each getting a hit. The lone RBI was credited to Brody Sallinger on a bases loaded walk in the bottom of the third.
On the night The Offense of Girard was a Juggernaut. They totaled 16 runs on 9
Hits, and 3 home runs to establish themselves as the tournament front runner!
When asked about the game, head coach Derek Delatte was gracious with his post game comments. Coach Delette stated, “Miley’s pitching struggled but they are a very good team. Our pitchers threw well and by scoring early we put pressure on them and this accounted for the win.”
Personally, I feel that these two well coached teams will be playing again to decide who will be representing JPRD in the World Series. Coaches’ Delatte and Lane will have their teams up to the task should they meet again in the tournament.
The Pirates of Little Farms bounced back from an
Opening night loss to eliminate The Gonzales All Stars 10-2.
Johnny Englander and Beau Stevens combined on the mound to
Only allow 2 runs on 1 hit and 1 base on balls
In the first starting pitcher, Johnny Englander, sat Gonzales down in order recording two K’s and coupled with an unassisted put out by first baseman David Hebert. Little Farms got all the runs they would need on the day by plating three runs in the first. Beau Stevens set the wheels in motion with a lead off single to right. This was followed by an RBI double by John Schnable Jr. Next the third hole hitter, Bryan Pringle launched a rocket over the left field fence to up the lead to 3-0 and produce all the runs needed on the night.
In the top of the second, Gonzales came roaring back. After the lead off hitter struck out, the next hitter was issued a base on balls and this was followed by a well executed bunt down the first base line for a hit. After the runners advanced on a pass ball, Gonzales scored a run on a 1-3 fielders choice. Then Englander struck out the next hitter to retire the side and maintain a 3-1 lead.
Little Farms continued the assault on the visitors from “The Jambalaya Capital of the World” by tacking on 7 more in the third to go up 10 -1. The Pirates sent 10 batters to the plate. The scoring began with a walk to Jacob Schudmak followed by a single by James Adams, Jr. After a pass ball that advanced the runners, a wild pitch plated two more runs. Several more wild pitches had Cole McMyne and Jacob Schudmak scoring . The big blow in the inning was delivered by John Schnable, Jr. with his RBI double to plate Englander and Stevens.
On the day second baseman, Brees Fulco turned several would be hits into routine outs. Also recognition is due to catchers Cole McMyne and Jacob Schudmak who turned in fine performances behind the plate that limited Gonzales base runners from stealing bases.
Next on tap for The Pirates are The Cardinals of Miley in an elimination game. This matchup should be an evenly played game with the team that maximizes its scoring opportunities and minimize defensive miscues will come out on top.
“The difference between the Impossible and the Possible
lies in a Person’s “Determination!”
Tommy Lasorda, former manager of the Los Angles Dodgers