Cane Cutters News

Youngsville- The Acadiana Cane Cutters (14-19) split a two-game series against the Seguin River Monsters (11-20). The Cane Cutters are tied for first place with the Lake Charles Gumbeaux Gators (18-14) with a two-game lead in front of third place Baton Rouge Rougarou (14-17) in the 2nd half standings of the Louisiana Division.

In game one, the Cane Cutters offense was electric right out of the gate off River Monsters starter Riley Kettner. In the bottom of the 1st inning, the Cane Cutters scored twice from a Connor O’Neal RBI single, and shortly after, Parker Gwyn got hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to bring in the other run. The River Monsters were able to cut the deficit to one with an RBI groundout in the top of the 2nd inning from Gabriel Rodriguez off Cane Cutters starter Trey Usey. That did not faze the Cane Cutters though, as they quickly responded with three runs in the bottom of the 3rd inning, started by a bases loaded walk from Tanner Hornback and a two-run single by Alexander Saunier off River Monsters relief pitcher Colby Diaz. 

The Cane Cutters would really blow it open in the bottom of the 7th inning off River Monsters relief pitcher Tyler Tilton. Sealing the deal was Bryce Calloway with a bases loaded-clearing double. Calloway drove in 3 runs on the night, now leading the team with 20 RBIs on the season. The bullpen for the Cane Cutters was outstanding. Emil Estrella got his first pitching appearance of the year, along with Caleb Muffoletto, Blayne Newman and Jose Nunez all combining to go 5.1 innings, not surrendering a hit, giving up one run with five walks and seven strikeouts. Acadiana would go on to defeat the River Monsters 12-3. Earning the win for the Cane Cutters was Trey Usey (1-1). Taking the loss for the River Monsters was Riley Kettner (0-1).

In game two, the Cane Cutters continued their offensive ways in the bottom of the 1st inning with an early 2-0 lead. Getting the scoring started was Connor O’Neal with a bases loaded walk and a sacrifice fly from newcomer Cristian Garcia off River Monsters starter Colby Diaz. Seguin came back to tie the ballgame in top of the 5th inning off Cane Cutters starter Tyler Velino with a two run double by Alfonso Camacho. Cristian Garcia continued to make his impressive debut for the Cane Cutters with his second RBI of the night with a single in the bottom half of the inning, along with a Parker Gwyn bases loaded walk, regaining the Cane Cutters two-run advantage. 

Coming in to aid Velino and deal with traffic on the bases was Alex Burden in the top of the 6th inning. The River Monsters got a run with an RBI groundout from Vinny Saumell to cut the Cane Cutters lead to one. Burden had a hard time locating the zone, walking four batters, one coming around to score, tying it back up at four. Hunter Ham gave the River Monsters their first lead of the night with an RBI single off Cane Cutters relief pitcher Kade Linn in the top of the 7th inning, making it 5-4. The Cane Cutters were no match for River Monsters relief pitcher Collin Carrejo, making his first pitching appearance of the season. He shut down the Cane Cutters bats with 4.2 innings of shutout baseball, striking out four and walking one batter. The River Monsters would go on to win 6-4. Earning the win for the River Monsters was Collin Carrejo (1-0). Taking the loss for the Cane Cutters was Kade Linn (0-1).

 Acadiana heads back to Baton Rouge to take on the Baton Rouge Rougarou (14-17) July 13th- July 14th. They will have a double header on July 13th.  The first game will continue from when it got rained out last Saturday in the top of the 6th inning with a 0-0 score starting at 5 PM, before playing the normal scheduled game at 7 PM. 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.