Lafayette knocks out Denham Springs, 2-0

You aren’t going to win many games giving up three errors and a run to a quality team like Lafayette. Our kids played hard, but we didn’t get that hit at the right time, and those early (mistakes) got us.” Mark Carroll,   Denham Springs coach

LAFAYETTE — Before rain in the first inning forced a change of venue in Denham Springs’ Class 5A regional baseball playoff game against Lafayette High, the Lions did all the damage they needed to come away with a win.

After Lafayette’s Chaz Boyer doubled, Denham Springs pitcher Kyle Cedotal attempted to pick Boyer off of second and overthrew second baseman Chris Welch. Center fielder Andrew Ayres then airmailed the throw to third, allowing Boyer to score.

The Lions added another run in the fourth inning and eliminated the Yellow Jackets 2-0.

“You aren’t going to win many games giving up three errors and a run to a quality team like Lafayette,” Denham Springs coach Mark Carroll said. “Our kids played hard, but we didn’t get that hit at the right time, and those early (mistakes) got us.”

A two-hour rain delay forced the game to be moved to ULL’s M.L. “Tigue” Moore Field. Carroll said the delay helped his team, especially Cedotal.

“Cedotal was a lot sharper (at Moore Field), and he had all three pitches,” Carroll said. “He might have been a little too wound up before the game, but he’s usually pretty good with his emotions. The delay gave us time to settle down.”

Cedotal pitched all six innings, giving up six hits and two runs while striking out two. Carroll said the team’s attention span might have been rattled after two trips to Lafayette and a venue move.

“It’s tough,” Carroll said. “We came yesterday, then coming over here again, then moving the game after the start, that’s a little tough for our attention span. Given the distractions, I thought both teams played well.”

“Cedotal didn’t have his best stuff,” Lafayette coach Sam Taulli said. “We played him earlier this season, and he was a lot sharper. Tonight, I thought he was competitive, but he didn’t have the velocity or the command he had earlier. But he is a tough kid and he competed.”

The Yellow Jackets’ best chance to score was in the third inning, when they had runners on second and third but failed to capitalize when Taylor Frick grounded back to the pitcher.

“We had a couple chances with some guys in scoring position,” Carroll said. “We just didn’t get that two-out hit that you have to have. We played hard, but we didn’t get that hit at the right time.”

Carroll reflected on this being the third season the Yellow Jackets have been in this position and commended the seniors on a solid year.

“Our seniors really stepped up and worked hard form this time last year to have a chance to play in this spot,” Carroll said. “Some guys with average talent really worked hard and gave themselves a chance to start and have good seasons for us. Our district is pretty tough. Every time you walk out, it’s a war. We think we have a good program, and this time next year, we’ll be fighting it out again.”