Cane Cutters News

Lake Charles- The Acadiana Cane Cutters get the two-game sweep on the road against the Lake Charles Gumbeaux Gators (18-18). They sit atop of the 2nd half standings in the Louisiana Division with a one game lead over second place Baton Rouge Rougarou (17-19).

Game one Hank Howard got his first start of the season for the Cane Cutters. He went three innings and gave up two runs, walking three and striking out a batter on three hits. Those two runs coming in the bottom of the 3rd inning. Gators got one run from an RBI groundout by Kasen Bellard. Two batters later Krayton Morse drove in another run with an RBI double.

Cane Cutters would cut the deficit with one run in the top of the 5th inning off Gators starter Caden Copeland. Coming in clutch was Connor O’Neal with an RBI single, his seventh run driven in on the season in just eight games since joining the Cane Cutters. Cane Cutters would go on to tie the game in the top of the 7th inning, taking advantage of throwing error committed by Gators shortstop Owen Galt.

Both teams pitching staff shut down any offense all night long. Harper Jordan and Caleb Muffoletto came in for the Cane Cutters in relief and pitched fantastic. They combined to go four innings just giving up three hits, walking two batters and striking out three. For the Gators Reagan Weilblinger and Parker Primeaux matched them keeping the Cane Cutters bats quiet. This pitching duel meant extra innings. In the top of the 11th inning with the Cane Cutters base steal leader Bryce Calloway on 3rd, Calloway would come into score off a wild pitch by Gators closer Carson Laws giving the Cane Cutters the lead. Kade Linn would shut it down against the Gators in the bottom half and the Cane Cutters would go on to win 3-2. Earning the win for the Cane Cutters was Kade Linn (1-1). Taking the loss for the Gators was Carson Laws (2-1). 

Game two Mark Collins gave the Cane Cutters the early 1-0 lead in the top of the 2nd inning with his second double of year driving in an run off Gators starter Parker Morgan. Gators would take the 2-1 lead in the bottom of the 3rd inning with an RBI groundout and an RBI single by Davis Meche. Cane Cutters would respond thanks to the help of Parker Gwyn driving in two runs on the night. First with a sacrifice fly in top the 4th inning to tie the game, then retaking the lead in the top of the 6th inning with an RBI single off Gators relief pitcher Andrws Acosta.

Acadiana’s pitching was once again stellar. Caleb Menard got the start for the Cane Cutters going six innings giving up two runs on six hits walking one and striking out two for his longest outing of the season. The bullpen picked up right where Caleb Menard left off. Jose Nunez and Jimmie Johnson dominated the Gators lineup combing to go three innings giving up two hits and striking out a batter. 

The Cane Cutters would not stop there and got some big insurance runs in the top of the 9th inning off Gators relief pitcher Mason Hulligan. New addition Cristian Garcia got it started with an RBI single to start the inning. Since joining the Cane Cutters Cristian Garcia has made a big impact going five for seventeen in six games driving in four runs. Delivering the knockout blow was Reid Snider with a two-run single. Cane Cutters came away with the victory 7-2. Earning the win for the Cane Cutters was Caleb Menard (2-1). Taking the loss for the Gators was Andrws Acosta (0-1).

 Acadiana heads back home to Fabacher Field for a four game homestand. First against the Lake Charles Gumbeaux Gators (18-18) July 18th- July 19th, then against the Brazos Valley Bombers (21-15) July 20th – July 21st. 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