Patterson takes loss in May 1 playoff game

University Lab jumped on Patterson with six runs in the first inning en route to a 10-0 win in the first-round of the Class 3A state playoff Friday in Baton Rouge.
University Lab (20-1), the ninth-seed, chased Patterson ace Sirbatian Charles in the first inning. Charles lasted just 1.33 innings allowing six earned runs, on seven hits with a strikeout and two walks. Kenny Singleton came in in relief throwing 3.67 innings surrendering four earned runs on five hits with two walks.
Manny Miles, son of LSU Coach Les Miles, got the win pitching six innings allowing three hits with six strikeouts and two walks.
“Obviously the game didn’t go as we had planned or really the way we expected,” Patterson Coach Ryan Jensen said. “We were able to get two men on in the first but couldn’t get a hit to drive them in and in the bottom of the first they jumped on us with six runs.”
Getting behind in the first inning proved to be taxing on the ’Jacks.
“Having to play catch up against a team like U-High and a pitcher like Manny Miles is extremely difficult,” Jensen said. “I think the most disappointing thing was how well we had been playing the last few weeks, and then come out Friday and put forth a subpar performance.
“You have to tip your cap to U-High. They executed offensively and made the plays necessary defensively to never give us much of a chance.”
Patterson (16-12), the 24th-seed, hadn’t lost a game by more than a run since March 7 and they had won six of its last seven games coming into the playoffs.
Tyrik Singleton, Bryce Beaubouef and Brad Beaubouef had the hits for Patterson.
“It’s always difficult when you lose that last game, to put that behind you and look at the positives of the season, but our guys need to realize the positives they did accomplish as the season progressed,” Jensen stressed. “I thought the change and growth that we made from the beginning of the season to the end was maybe the best I’ve seen in my eight years of being the head coach at Patterson.
“We are certainly going to miss Jake (LaGrange) and Kenny (Singleton). Those two guys have played a lot of innings for us over the last four years. Their contributions on the field, as well as in the locker room are things that will be difficult to replace.”
University Lab (20-11) will travel to Thibodaux to face eight-seed E.D. White in the second round of the playoffs. The game will be at 4 p.m. Wednesday.
--From Staff Reports