Cane Cutters News

The Acadiana Cane Cutters (10-16) dropped 2 straight against the Victoria Generals (18-7), extending their losing streak to 6 in a row. They are in 3rd place and sit 1 GB of Baton Rouge Rougarou (13-11) and the Lake Charles Gumbeaux Gators (15-10) in the second half Louisiana Division standings. 

In game one, the Cane Cutters bats got the scoring started off quickly against Generals starter Merek Sears in the top of the 1st inning. The Cane Cutters scored the first 2 runs of the game with an RBI double by Bryce Calloway, who would come in later to score in the inning from an error by shortstop Anthony Avalos. The Generals would quickly respond off Cane Cutters starter Trey Usey with an RBI single from Mark Henning in the bottom of the 2nd inning before taking the lead 3-2 in the bottom of the 5th inning with a fielder’s choice. 

Back and forth these teams went, as the Cane Cutters tied it in the top of the 6th inning off Generals relief pitcher Parker Mathews with an RBI single from Austin Mills. The Generals answered right back with 3 of their own in the bottom of the 6th inning with two RBI hits from Travis Bragg and Riley Bender off Cane Cutters relief pitchers Noah Melancon and Julian Garcia, retaking the lead. Down 6-3 but not out of it the Cane Cutters delivered 2 runs across the plate in the top of the 8th inning with a single from the bat of red-hot Dylan Biddick off reliever Sam Simmons of the Generals. The Cane Cutters would then tie it in the top of the 9th inning with a huge RBI single from Tanner Sever who had a big night at the plate going 3 for 5, sending it to extras.

This battle went the distance going 12 innings. Both teams scored in the 10th and 11th inning before Victoria walked it off in the bottom of the 12th inning with an RBI single from Anthony Avelos off Hank Howard, continuing his hitting streak to 17 games. He went 1 for 7 in the game. The Cane Cutters would fall 9-8. Taking the loss for the Cane Cutters was Hank Howard (1-1). Earning the win for the Generals was Sam Simmons (2-1).

In game two, Acadiana got out to the early lead once more with an RBI single from Dylan Biddick in the top of the 2nd inning off Generals starter Ben Polleschutlz. Acadiana would tack on another run scoring via error by Generals first baseman Jacob Sanchez. Acadiana pitching struggled all night. Getting the start for the Cane Cutters was Tyler Velino who was cruising through the first three innings but in the bottom of the 4th inning, Velino ran into some trouble. Blayne Newman took his place who also struggled along with Jose Nunez as all 3 pitchers combined for four runs on six walked Generals batters, four wild pitches, while only surrendering two hits. 

Acadiana retook the lead in the top of the 6th inning answering with 3 more. Getting the rally started was Dylan Biddick with another RBI hit. Next, batter Bryce Calloway drove him in with an RBI single. Back came the Generals regaining the lead matching the Cane Cutters with 3 runs too, scoring via another walk and wild pitch topped off by Travis Bragg with a sacrifice fly. The Generals would build onto their lead and cash in big with a six-run 7th inning, trampling Acadiana’s bullpen. Hal Perez began the inning with a 2 run single. His counterparts Damien Whitfield and Jake Weaver piled it on with back-to-back RBI hits. Acadiana would go on to lose 13-5. Taking the loss for the Cane Cutters was Tyler Velino (0-4). Earning the win for the Generals was Ben Polleschutlz (4-0). 

Acadiana heads back home to Fabacher Field for a 2-game series to take on the Lake Charles Gumbeaux Gators (15-10) June 29th-June 30th before the all-star break in Seguin, TX next week.  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