Duthu earns victory as LSU Eunice wins program-record 20th straight

The top-ranked LSU Eunice Bengals set a new program record with their 20th straight win Saturday as the team topped Eastern Oklahoma State College 15-10.
Berwick High alum and LSU Eunice sophomore Nick Duthu earned the win, his second of the season, in relief. In one inning of work, he surrendered one hit, two walks and fanned two.
He was the fourth of four LSU pitchers used.
Early on, the Mountaineers jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning as Jace Pitchford walked and scored when Tristan Clark singled up the middle.
Eastern Oklahoma pushed ahead 2-0 in the top of the third inning when Easton Elliott walked and scored on Clark’s double to centerfield.
The Bengals exploded for four runs in the bottom of the third, which began when Janson Bourque was hit by a pitch, advanced to third on a wild throw and crossed home plate on Zach LaFleur’s single.
LaFleur stole second and later scored on a balk to tie the game.
LSU would take a 4-2 lead after three innings.
Eastern Oklahoma surged ahead with six runs in the top of the fourth as the Mountaineers collected three hits and took advantage of two Bengal errors.
Caleb Dubler tripled and scored on a wild pitch, while Kory Pollard walked and scored on a ground out as the Mountaineers tied the game at 4.
Ellliott bunted and later scored on an errant throw, while Clark was hit by a pitch and crossed home on another Bengal miscue.
Dooley reached on an error that allowed Elliott to score. The rally continued as Hunter Uzzle walked before Dubler’s double drove in Dooly and Uzzle for an 8-7 Mountaineer advantage.
The Bengals regrouped with three runs in the bottom of the inning. Nick Schexnaider was hit by a pitch and scored on LaFleur’s single. Bourque walked, stole second and later scored on a sacrifice by Will Watson as the Bengals pulled closer, 8-6.
LSU Eunice pushed another run across in the frame when LaFleur stole second, advanced on a wild throw and scored as Veillon grounded out to third base.
The Bengals tied the game at 8 in the bottom of the fifth when Michael Claverie walked, stole second and third and scored on Mark Fontenot’s ground out to second.
The see-saw battle continued as Eastern Oklahoma scored two more runs in the top of the sixth for a 10-8 advantage.
The Bengals regrouped with three runs in the bottom of the inning to retake an 11-10 lead, aided by Bourque’s single, followed by LaFleur’s fourth home run of the season.
Veillon tripled to right and scored when Nick Coomes singled to center to give the Bengals a slim advantage.
LSU Eunice sealed the win with four runs in the bottom of the seventh.
Bourque bunted, stole second and then reached third on a passed ball.
LaFleur walked, and then Watson reached on an error that allowed Bourque and LaFleur to score.
Veillon ripped his second triple of the game to plate Watson, as the Bengal right fielder later scored on Francis’ hit to left field to push LSU Eunice ahead, 15-10.
LaFleur went 3-for-4 with four RBIs and four runs to help lead the Bengal offense, while Bourque went 2-for-3 with four runs. Veillon finished 2-for-5 with two RBIs and three runs, while Coomes went 2-for-5 with two RBIs and a run. Francis finished 2-for-5 with two RBIs and Fontenot went 2-for-5 with an RBI.
The Bengals, who improved to 21-0 this season with a 23-12 win Sunday against Eastern Oklahoma, will return to action Friday when it takes on Murray State College in the first of a three-game series in Eunice. Friday’s game is set for a 6 p.m. start, while Saturday’s and Sunday’s games are set for 1 p.m. starts.