LaSalle tops Block to end Bears’ district title chances Thursday

Published 9:26 am Friday, April 13, 2007

One pitch after Block committed a costly error, LaSalle pinch-hitter Eric Wills hit a three-run single in the top of the fourth inning as the Tigers held on for an 8-6 win over the Bears Thursday afternoon.

It was a tough loss in the District 3-1A standings for Block as it dropped to 4-2 and has a precarious half-game lead over LaSalle for second place. The Bears can’t afford another loss in district play if they are going to keep their playoff hopes alive. Both Block and LaSalle now have identical 10-12 overall records.

“They hit a ground ball to the shortstop. Instead of throwing the ball 12 feet to second base (for the final out of the top of the fourth), he threw to first base,” Block head coach Scott Green said. “The first baseman had to jump up to catch the ball.”

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Unfortunately for Block, the batter was safe at first before the first baseman could tag him out and the bases were loaded, setting up Wills’ game-changing hit that was part of a six-run rally for LaSalle gave the Tigers an 8-5 lead.

“It was a well-played game both ways,” Green said. “Both teams hit the ball well and played good defense. It came down to that one error. That was the difference in the game.”

Block trailed 2-1 after two and a half innings, but scored four runs in the bottom of the third inning to take a 5-2. Justin Winborne hit a solo home run for the Bears in their half of the inning.

Christopher McCarthy, Evan White and Derek Adams each went 2-for-4 for Block, which out-hit LaSalle 10-7. The Tigers won the game despite having no extra-base hits and no multiple hitters.

Brian Devaux pitched the final six innings of the game for LaSalle and was the winning pitcher. After the third inning, Devaux allowed just one run the rest of the game.

Forest 11, Monterey 6

FOREST, La. — Monterey had an opportunity to move into a tie for first place in District 3-B with a win at Forest Thursday afternoon in a game that was postponed due to inclement weather on Tuesday.

Instead the Wolves committed 12 errors and couldn’t hold a 5-4 lead after three innings and the Bulldogs took advantage of those miscues to rally for the win and the district championship.

Monterey fell to 3-2 in district play and needs a win at home against Kilbourne Monday at 3:30 p.m. to finish in second place and clinch a playoff spot.

Monterey jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the top of the first inning and still held the lead after three innings. But Forest (5-0 in District 3-B) scored four runs in the bottom of the fourth inning to take an 8-5 lead.

The Wolves scored one run in the top of the fifth to make in an 8-6 game, but that would be as close as they would get the rest of the game.

Both teams finished with nine hits in the game, but too many errors by Monterey cost it the game.

Losing pitcher Trey King tied to help his cause by going 2-for-4 with a double and Jon Lipsey was 2-for-3. C. Ratcliff went 3-for-4 with a double and Forsse hit a home run for Forest.