Though Hahnville had just felled traditional baseball powers Jesuit and Evangel in two games at last weekend’s Barbe High School Invitational tournament, but you might forgive Tigers’ coach David Baudry for lamenting the two games that got away.Those games — each 1-0 losses to host Barbe, which has been ranked as high as second in the nation —left Baudry recounting all the ways the Tigers might have felled Buccaneers if not for a break here or there. Yet he acknowledges it’s also something to build upon for a Hahnville team that already holds wins over Lutcher, Chalmette, St. Amant and Parkview Baptist among others this season.
In the first game against the Buccaneers, a first inning single by Barbe cleanup hitter Slate Fuller pushed the eventual winning run across. The two teams combined for four hits, with Fuller earning the win on the mound in a pitcher’s duel with Austin Perrin. Fuller allowed one hit in 5.1 innings and struck out six while walking four. Perrin started for Hahnville (10-4), allowing three hits and one earned run. He struck out nine against two walks.
In the second matchup, Barbe (13-1) again struck in the opening frame, and again it was on the bat of Fuller, who laced another RBI single that decided things in the end. Cavin Courville earned the win for Barbe as he combined with three other pitchers to earn a no-hitter. Matt Champagne took the loss despite allowing just one hit on the day.
Baudry credited his team for its maturity in securing both the tournament opening win over Evangel and in its final tourney game against Jesuit, noting the Barbe matchups did nothing to distract his players from the task at hand.
Against Evangel, it was Austin Rice’s complete game shutout that paced the Tigers in a 5-0 victory. He earned the win, allowing three hits while striking out four and walking none.
Austin Perrin went 2 for 4 with two RBIs while Hunter LeBlanc went 2-for-3, including a triple. Cade Miguez scored two runs for Hahnville.
Against Jesuit, Hahnville earned a 2-1 victory decided on Hunter LeBlanc’s fifth inning sacrifice fly, which scored Waylon LeBlanc.
Baudry said Rice and Vial, both seniors, have been lights out this season and proved it again last weekend.
The next few days will give Hahnville more opportunity to build momentum. They co-host (along with Destrehan) the Gerald Oubre Memorial Tournament, which begins on Thursday and extends through Sunday. Hahnville will face Brother Martin Thursday at 4 p.m.; Holy Cross Friday at 4 p.m.; Jesuit Saturday at 3 p.m.; and Hammond Sunday at 1 p.m.
The Tigers’ District 7-5A opener will be a big one: archrival Destrehan hosts Hahnville at 4 p.m. on Tues-day.