Cane Cutters News

Youngsville- The Acadiana Cane Cutters (6-6) ended their 4-game losing streak and split a 2 game series between the Lake Charles Gumbeaux Gators (6-5) for the first time ever in franchise history. The Cane Cutters remain third in the Louisiana division, a half game back of the Baton Rouge Rougarou (5-4) and 4th overall in the league standings. 

Game one saw an outstanding pitching performance by Trent Hillen. After a leadoff walk it was nothing but swings and misses for the right hander, striking out 6 Lake Charles batters in 3 innings of work. Acadiana scored in back-to-back innings in the 4th and 5th thanks to RBI singles from Hank Howard and Austin Mills. In the early going Acadiana’s bullpen looked liked it was back in proper form with good relief outings from both Noah Melancon and newcomer Tyler Velino, both pitching 2 innings of scoreless relief, but Lake Charles did not go down without a fight though as they would come back to tie it in the 8th against Carson Fair by a walk and an RBI single by Will Franklin. 

Acadiana responded in the bottom half scoring 5 runs. Bennett Mittelsteadt got things going with a single and a key RBI double from Hank Howard that almost left the yard that started the rally for Acadiana. Coming off the bench Bryce Calloway got an RBI bunt single down the 3rd base line along with a wild pitch and a based loaded walk by Austin Mills to finish off the 5-run inning for Acadiana. Carson Fair (1-1) would go on to finish the 9th inning for Acadiana and record his first win of the season.

In Game 2 both teams offenses flourished from the get go. The Cane Cutters got the scoring started with a run in the first, however the Gators would quickly erase that lead with a 5-run 3rd inning. Starter Gavin Leblanc for the Cane Cutters was cruising the first two innings with 2 strikeouts but wasn’t able to get out of the 3rd inning suffering two walks and an RBI single from Gator Lane Lusk to lead the charge for the gators.

Acadiana would claw their way back and chip away with 2 runs in the bottom half capped off with an RBI single from Bennett Mittelsteadt. The Cane Cutters would go on to take the lead in the bottom of the 4th over the Gators lead by a bases loaded walk by Austin Mills and a pair of RBI groundouts from Bryce Calloway and Bennett Mittelsteadt. Sitting with the lead, Acadiana’s bullpen wasn’t able to hold on in the 8th as Tyler Velino (1.0 IP) and Blayne Newman (2.0 IP) combined allowing 4 runs on 4 hits, 1 walk, and 1 hit by batter. The Gators would go on to score on an RBI single by Sean Frontenot and a RBI double by Lane Lusk in a big 4 run 8th. Tyler Velino took his first loss of the season for Acadiana falling to 0-1.  Hayden Harmon (1-0) got the win for the Gators and Carson Laws got the 1.2 inning save (1). 

The Acadiana Cane Cutters will go head to head with the Brazos Valley Bombers (5-5) for the first time since the season opener with a 4 game series, 2 at Bravos Valley June 13th -14th and then right back Fabacher field for a 2 game weekend series June 15th-16th  before they head back on the road to take on their in state rival the Baton Rouge Rougarou (5-4) June 18th-June 19th. All games can be streamed on TCL TV. Fans can check for news and updates with Cane Cutters on X (@CanecuttersBB) Instagram (@canecutters.bslb) and Facebook (@Acadiana Cane Cutters Baseball). 

Special Thanks to Sports Writer Jared Viancourt