An STM runner slides under the tag of Abbeville’s R.J. Frederick on Wednesday at Roy Theriot Field in A.A. Comeaux Park.
Dustin Waguespack makes a play on a grounder from his second-base position for Abbeville in Wednesday’s loss to STM.
It was the home opener for the 29’rs.
“That was the first time anybody’s put pressure on us,” said Abbeville head coach Andre’ Boudreaux after the game. “If we just make the routine plays, it’s 5-4 and we’re still playing baseball right now.”
STM jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first inning on Abbeville starting pitcher Ryan Domingue, who gave up an infield single to the lead-off batter. A double to right field gave STM runners at second and third and both would score on ground balls.
Domingue buckled down after that, recording two straight scoreless innings, but the 29’rs were unable to scratch across any runs cut into the STM lead.
The visitors broke it open in the fourth inning, though. After retiring the first hitter on a grounder, STM got three-straight hits, scoring one run to take a 3-0 lead. Back-to-back walks and a throwing error helped the visitors push the score to 5-0. STM would take a 7-0 lead into the bottom of the frame.
The 29’rs looked to flip the script on STM in the bottom of the fourth, though. Domingue led off with a walk and was gifted second with a balk. Brett Stelly got an RBI single when he drove in Domingue with a shot up the middle to make it 7-1. Two more Abbeville runners scored in the inning, but STM got those runs right back and more in the top of the fifth to lead 13-3.
Peter Broussard got a hit to reach first in the bottom of the fifth and used his track speed to get around to third, scoring on a strikeout in the dirt, but again, STM got the run back in the top of the sixth.
When the 29’rs were unable to plate any runs in the bottom of the inning, the mercy rule went into effect.
Still, Boudreaux said there were positives to be gleaned from Abbeville’s first loss.
“We just need to make the routine plays,” he said. “They knew the last two innings we needed to score to keep it going. They put pressure on them both times... We can tell these guys really want to be out here.”
Stelly and Brock Clark were each 2-for-3 with a run scored. Peter Broussard was 1-for-2 with a run scored and Justin Broussard was 1-for-3.
Domingue pitched 3 2/3 innings, giving up seven hits while striking out three. Only two of the eight runs scored on him were earned.
Abbeville played Lafayette at home on Thursday evening, but the game was unfinished as of press time.
The 29’rs, in the midst of a seven-game home stand, host Acadiana on Monday, June 18. They then host the Arc Angels, which they beat once already this season, on Tuesday, June 19.
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