Day 4 for the 11-12 Dixie Youth Boys State Tournament
Monday, July 25, 2022
Lasalle Park
Metairie, LA
Jefferson Parish
Written By: Chip Ravaglia, JPRD Roving Reporter
Vikings Continued Their Winning Ways by
Conquering the Pirates 12-1
The Girard Vikings scored early and often in eliminating the Little Farm Pirates from the State Tournament. Austin Guedry slams a solo homer in the first and is also credited with the win. He allowed 1 run on 2 hits and striking out 3- with no free passes. Christian Gadola entered the game in relief and held the Pirates in check for two innings.
After an emotional upset win over Miley the night before, Little Farms came out against Girard lacking the same emotion and focus. Jonathan Englander took the loss for Little Farms. Jonathan went two-thirds of an inning, allowing six runs on six hits and striking out one before he was replaced.
To start things in the first, the Vikings ignited for six runs. Blake Pitts’ patience at the plate, as a lead off hitter, drew a walk. After Delatte flew out to deep center, the Viking bats took over the game. Austin Guedry continued his torrid hitting with a sharp line drive to center to plate Pitts. Additional scores were the result of a home run by Austin G, a double by Cam Guitterrez, a double by Cooper Coruet, a single by Bryce Stuprich, and a double by Kyle Nugent in the first inning. Other Vikings delivering key hits in the game were: Delatte, Chaix (2) and Gadola. The Vikings added three more runs in the second and the fourth.
Little Farms only run of the game was scored in the first inning. Beau Stevens led off with an opposite shot down the left field line for a stand up double. John Schanbel follow this with a line drive single to right that scored the ever hustling, Stevens. On the next play Brayden Pringle hit into a 4-6-3 well executed double play turned in by Stuprich, Delatte to Guitterrez to snuff out a big inning by The Pirates.
The Pirates played very well the entire tournament. This one game does not define their season. They battled to get to this point and also won two tough games in the State Tournament. The coaching staff of Greg Schnauder, Cory Goodwin and Johnny Fulco did an excellent job in preparing this fine team.
Many of these players will go on to compete at the next level due to the coaching and the experience of playing this past summer.
In closing, The Vikings only need to beat the Allstars from Franklin once to head to the World Series. Franklin will have to beat Girard twice to win the tournament to extend their season and head off to the World Series. This game is David vs Goliath. I believe that the ending will be different than in the Bible.