Highland Baptist upsets VC Eagles, 2-1

A district rematch proved to be a much closer game than anyone expected when Highland Baptist came away with a 2-1 win over the No. 5-ranked Vermilion Catholic Eagles on Friday night at Ralph Sellers Field.
It was a bright, sunny day, with a cool breeze and a good-sized crowd from both schools looking on.
Hunter Frith started at the mound for VC, and “pitched his tail off,” according to coach Steven Adams, for six innings.
The Eagles had no problem connecting with the ball, but still remained scoreless for the first six innings. Solid hits turned into easy outs for Highland, who happened to be in the right place almost every time.
The one weak link in the Highland defense was the third baseman, who let some plays get past him. “We just didn’t challenge him enough,” Adams said. “When we did, he gave it up, but we just couldn’t get anything going.”
Highland drew first blood in the top of the fourth when the first of two unearned runs made it across the plate. The Eagles were able to shut it down shortly afterward, looking to rally and close the gap.
Despite a solid hit from Hunter Frith, it was difficult for the Eagles to get much else going, and the game went into the fifth inning, where the Eagles let the second and final unearned run make it home for Highland.
The Eagles were able to again shut it down, but time was running out. They held Highland scoreless in the remaining two innings, the last of which was pitched by Tyler Derouen, who closed out the game when Frith was pulled.
In the bottom of the seventh, the Eagles had their best rally, getting three runners on base in as many hits. Derouen let one sail to the outfield, where it was caught, but still allowed the first runner to get across the bag for a 2-1 score.
Brennan Gallet stepped up to the plate and was walked by Highland to fill the bases again.
Emile Trahan and Connor Menard were with him on the bases, ready to make the run in.
Drake Broussard took a solid swing, but a poor connection sent the ball straight up and back down into the pitcher’s glove. The final bat was also a pop fly, giving Highland the easy out to end the game.
“We really didn’t do anything different today,” Adams of the game strategy said afterward. “We hit too many pop-ups, and their pitcher threw a really great game. He deserved every bit of that win.”
Adams is the first -ear head coach of the Eagles, bringing them into the playoffs, despite new faces and having to reteach the game and bring a new philosophy to the dugout.
“We’re losing four guys, but we’re going to have a bunch of two year starters coming in next year,” he said of the future. “We’ve got a thick junior class who have tasted victory, and they’ve tasted failure. I think they’ll be extremely hungry.”
The Friday night loss wasn’t the first time the Eagles were able to bounce back when their backs have been against the wall.
“We’re able to get out there and turn things around a bit,” Adams explained. “We had bases loaded and we had a chance. But it comes down to who wants it more, and a little bit of Lady Luck, and that’s what they had.”
As the season went, Adams did admit that there were a bit of growing pains, but he says it was a good first year.
“Going 21-12, winning 20 games any time, is a big deal,” he said. “It’s disappointing going out in the first round, but it’s a life lesson for the boys, and I think that’ll make them stronger.”