EUNICE, LA — The Bossier Parish Community College Cavaliers split their weekend doubleheader against nationally-ranked LSU-Eunice, winning Game one 6-5 before falling 14-8 in Game two.
In game one, Eunice, who currently sits at number 9 the NJCAA Division I rankings, jumped out to an early 5-0 lead before the Cavs scored three in the third to get back in it, with Hayden LeBleu and James Reina each launching a home run. BPCC entered the top of the seventh trailing 5-4. Riley Kwak doubled with one out, Gianluca Montanaro followed with a triple, and Bryson Pierce delivered a sacrifice fly to plate the go-ahead run. Montanaro had three hits in the game, including a home run to dead center.
Jackson Reifel needed just that one-run cushion, shutting Eunice down with a three-up, three-down bottom of the seventh to secure the victory. Reifel threw a complete game, going seven innings while allowing four earned runs and striking out three.
“Gritty win for the team,” head coach Bobby Gilliam said. “Beating an in-state program with national prominence shows what these guys can do. Jackson Reifel was outstanding. He just kept pitching. Gave up some runs early and then settled in. Our pen was light today after already playing four conference games this week, so his ability to go CG and be clutch late in the game was tremendous.”
The Cavs outhit Eunice 12-6 in game two but issued 10 walks, which proved costly. With the score 10-7 in the bottom of the eighth, Eunice scored four after two walks to start the inning. James Reina went 2-for-2 and hit his second home run of the day. Gianluca Montanaro added two hits and also hit his second homer of the day.
Reina leads the team with a .373 average and a .537 on-base percentage. Montanaro has collected nine hits over the last four games as both sophomores are putting together strong seasons.
The Cavaliers are now 16-12 and play again Tuesday at UA Rich Mountain in Mena, AR before starting the second half of conference play with a single game Wednesday at home against Northeast Community College.
Visit www.bpcc.edu/athletics for game schedules, tickets, and updates all season long.