2016 Combined

WEEK-OF __..5.....-....... /5_· .f_L.._t _· __.__..i..._

LSUE enters regionals set to defend championship

J: J7p.111 CDTMay/8. l0/6

BobbyArdoin

The LSU-Eunice baseball team enters the Region 23 Tournament on Thursday ranked No. 1 in the final National Junior College Athletic Association poll and the reigning Division II national champion.

LSUE will have to quickly defend both issues when the Bengals meet Jones County Community College at noon in the first-round of the four-team regional in Decatur, Mississippi.

Jones County (48-8) finished second In the last Division II poll behind the Bengals (50-4).

(Photo: LSU·Eunice)

Despite the elevated national rankings, Jones is seeded third in the regional while LSUE is second. Top seed and host East Central Community College (46-15) plays No. 4 Northwest Community College (29-19).

In the final NJCC Division II poll, ECCC was ranked No. 10, while Northwest was 18th.

The times of Thursday's first-round games were pushed up due to weather considerations. Although the original starting times of Friday's games might be altered due to weather, times for Day 2 had not been changed as of Wednesday afternoon.

Losers of Thursday's game as set for 2 p.m. Friday, with the winners set to play afterward at 6 p.m. The tournament continues through Saturday with a championship contest set for 6 p.m. If needed a final game in the championship bracket is set for 3 p.m. Sunday.

LSUE has had a 12-day layoff since the Bengals' final regular season game during a three-contest weekend tournament in Marianna, Florida.

The Bengals enter the tournament with a team that has stolen 261 bases. That type of base running has been a trademark for LSUE all season. Outfielder and leadoff hitter Zach Lafleur has 59 stolen bases. Second baseman Janson Bourque has stolen 43, while outfielder-designated hitter Orynn Veillon has 38,

Third baseman Nick Coomes is hitting .367 with 13 home runs and 79 RBI. Coomes, outfielder Trenon Trosclair and Lafleur are there turning starters from the Bengals' Division II World Series team in 2015.

Lafleur is hitting .457. Other starters include first baseman Turner Francis (.396), Bourque (.380), shortstop Michael Claverie (.345). Trosclair is hitting .419 with 29 stolen bases. Veillon (.366) and catcher Hunter Feduccia (.385) are the other returning starters.

Jones is batting .361. The Bobcats' top three pitchers, (Mason Strickland. Ben Stiglets and Calder Mikell) are a combined 27-1. DAILY \VORLD \I ... L. .. . . ,...

APPEARED IN: CARTHAGINIAN ______ NEWTON COUNTY APPEAL ___ SPIRIT OF MORTON __ ~---- MERIDIAN STAR ______

NESHOBA DEMOCRAT ____ SCOTT COUNTY TIMES---- WINSTON COUNTY JOUJWAL __ CLARION-LEDGER ______