LONGVILLE – The Eunice High Bobcats fell short in their quest to advance to the Class 3A semifinals Friday night, falling to the South Beauregard Knights by a 7-3 margin in the quarterfinal round of the best of three game series.
No. 3 South Beauregard will take on No. 10 Iowa in the 3A state semifinals 1:30 p.m. today at McMurry Park in Sulphur.
No. 4 Berwick advanced to the other semifinal game after defeating No. 5 Iota in their quarterfinal series and will take on top-seed Sterlington at 10:30 p.m.
After a 4-3 loss to open the series, the Bobcats started strong in second game, with starting pitcher Tyler Darbonne retiring the side after two walks to open the game.
But Darbonne struggled in the second inning, walking Chase Fisher and Briton Coleman.
Jessie Broussard’s sacrifice bunt advanced both runners and then Wesley Beasley’s fielder’s choice pushed in Fisher.
Coleman scored on a ground out as the Knights moved ahead, 2-0.
Jessie Broussard scored on a passed ball, while Beasley added a run on a sacrifice out from Charles Keith.
Leland Broussard walked and later crossed home plate on a single by Dylan Jimenez for a a 5-0 lead.
The Bobcats struggled against Knights’ pitcher Chase Fisher. In the first inning, Fisher retired Grant Fontenot and Austin Phillips on ground outs.
Tyler Darbonne singled but was picked off at first base to end the inning. Fisher retired the side in order in the second and third innings.
In the fourth inning, Grant Fontenot and Austin Phillips drew walks and Tyler Darbonne drove in both runners with a double to close the Knights’ lead to 5-2.
South Beauregard added a run in the fifth when Keith doubled and scored on a sacrifice out by Avery Davis.
The Cats scored a run in the sixth inning when Fontenot reached on an error and and scored on a single by Luke Andrepont.
South Beauregard added an insurance run in the top of the seventh when Leland Broussard reached on an error and scored on a sacrifice fly by Keith.
Fisher earned the complete-game win as he allowed two runs on three hits with six strikeouts and two walks.
Darbonne went 3-for-3 with two RBI.