Cane Cutters News

The Acadiana Cane Cutters (10-12) drop 2 straight to the Victora Generals (15-6) at Fabacher Field. The Cane Cutters are now 2-4 on the season against the Generals, and sit in 3rd place in the Louisiana division 2.5 games back of the front-running Lake Charles Gumbeaux Gators (12-9).

Game 1 right out of the gate it was all Victoria Generals scoring 5 runs in the top of the first inning off Acadiana Cane Cutters starter Tyler Velino. 3 straight RBI hits capped of the crooked number for the Generals. Riley Bender got it started with an RBI double scoring Jake Weaver. Next, batter Dalton Mullins hit a sharp RBI single into left field scoring Mario Mendoza and Riley Bender. After back-back walks James Benjamin delivered with another RBI single scoring Dalton Mullins.

The Cane Cutters bullpen had a solid performance after Tyler Velino got knocked out of the game. Caleb Menard (4.2 IP), Jose Nunez (2.0 IP) and Caleb Ougel (2.0 IP) combined for 5 hits, giving up 1 run on 4 walks and 6 strikeouts. Acadiana was no match for Victoria starter Connor Kelly going 5 innings giving up 1 run with 3 walks and 5 strikeouts. The Cane Cutters scored their only run of the night in the 5th inning off a Hank Howard RBI single. The Cane Cutters struggled to score all night leaving 11 men on base and only mustaring 1 hit off Generals relief pitchers Parker Matthews (2.1 IP) and David Irons (1.2 IP). The Cane Cutters would fall to the Generals 6-1. Taking the loss for Acadiana was Tyler Velino (0-1). Earning the win for Victoria was Connor Kelley (2-0).

Game 2 was no different as Victoria would continue to flourish offensively. Victoria started off the scoring early once again off starter Konnor Graham in the top of the 2nd inning. Beginning the scoring was James Benjamin with an RBI double scoring Mark Henning. 2 batters later Damien Whitfield drove in a run with a sacrifice fly. Konnor Graham finished the night against the Generals going 4 innings giving up 2 runs, both earned on 3 hits, 4 walks, and 5 strikeouts. The Generals would tack on another run in the top of the 5th inning with a wild pitch before having a big 3 run top of the 6th inning off Will Taylor. Will Taylor is his 2nd appearance of the season for the Cane Cutters went 1 inning allowing 3 runs, all earned on 3 hits with 1 walk and 1 strikeout. Anthony Avalos, one of the Victoria's biggest producers, came into the game tied 3rd in the league in hits, RBI, and runs scored, and started the big inning with an RBI single. Damien Whitfield would follow suit again sending two more runners across the plate for Victoria with a 2 run single. 

Acadiana’s bats were shut down by Victorias starting pitching once again, this time by right hander Hayden Tronson. Tronson who normally isn’t a starter, pitched a season high (6.1 IP), allowing 4 hits with 3 walks and 3 strikeouts. Acadiana was able 2 score runs in the bottom of the 9th inning with an RBI double by Dylan Biddick who continues to be hot at the plate going 8 for his last 17 in his last 5 games, and an RBI single from Ashton Quiller off Victoria pitcher Kendall Dove. It was too little too late for the Cane Cutters and they would go on to lose the game 6-2. Getting the win for the Generals was Hayden Tronson (1-0). Recording the loss for the Cane Cutters was Konnor Graham (0-1).

Acadiana heads to Lake Charles for a 2-game series to take on the Lake Charles Gumbeaux Gators (12-9) June 25 th -June 26 th . 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