Brandon Briuglio Swats Two Home Runs … in the First Inning!

Brandon Briuglio hit two home runs in the first inning of Jesuit’s game against St. Thomas More . (All photos are from earlier games this season.)

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The Blue Jays won all four of their games at the rain-delayed Barbe Tournament in Lake Charles on March 12-13, defeating St. Thomas More, 17-7 and Sam Houston, 4-2 in a Saturday double-header. Then on Sunday, the Jays downed Evangel, 8-6, and waited almost three hours to take on their hosts, beating the Barbe Buccaneers, 4-2.

A Rare Feat

In the opening game against the Cougars of St. Thomas More, Jesuit second baseman Brandon Briuglio accomplished a rare feat, something that might have been a first for Blue Jay baseball.

Briuglio smacked two home runs in the opening inning, launching both shots to approximately the same spot over the right field fence. The first was a two-run blast, the second a solo shot.

Jesuit shortstop Nick Ray added a pair of home runs himself. He hit a three-run homer in the first inning — in between Briuglio’s two rockets — and later in the game blasted a solo bomb. The three home runs in the first inning helped the Jays jump out to a 9-0 lead.

Nick Ray hit a home run in the first inning of the first game this season and is congratulated by Brandon Briuglio, who over the weekend hit two home runs in the opening inning of Jesuit’s game against St. Thomas More.

In addition to their home runs, Ray singled and Briuglio hit a double. Third baseman Hayden Fuentes hit two doubles and Marc Theberge tripled.

Richard Oubre started on the mound for the Jays and picked up the win to improve his record to 3-1. Matthew Miceli pitched the final inning, which ended after five because of the 10-run rule.

Jesuit 4, Sam Houston 2

Against the Broncos of Sam Houston, the Jays fell behind in the first inning, 2-0. In the third, Jesuit scored to make it a 2-1 game. In the sixth, the Jays tied the game, and in the top of the seventh they scored the winning two runs. The Jays could only muster six hits (compared to 14 in the first game). Right-fielder Connor Maginnis had a single and a double. Briuglio and Stephen Sepcich each hit a double while Ray and Fuentes hit singles.

Briuglio pitched six innings, giving up two runs on four hits while striking out three Broncos. Todd Crabtree earned the first of his three saves in the tournament when he relieved Briuglio after the sixth inning. Crabtree struck out two Broncos and the third batter popped up to center field.

With his two homers in the Barbe Tournament, shortstop Nick Ray has four home runs so far this season.

Jesuit 8, Evangel 6

Another come from behind win for the Jays, who fell behind, 6-1, by the fourth inning. The Jays cycled through four pitchers: Hayden Fuentes started, pitched 3.1 innings, giving up six runs on six hits. Lee Blosser pitched to two Eagles in the fourth inning and got them both out, enough to earn his second win of the season. Chris Beebe pitched two full innings, allowing only two hits and striking out one batter. Once again, Todd Crabtree came to the mound to close in the top of the seventh. It was three-up and down as Crabtree struck out the trio of Eagles.

The Jays had eight team hits against Evangel, including a single and a double for Marc Theberge, a triple for Fuentes, and a double for Maginnis. After Coach Joey Latino pretty much replaced all starters after the third inning, the Jays bats came alive. Jesuiit jumped ahead, 7-6 after the fourth inning. In the sixth, a sacrifice fly by Austin North scored Theberge who was on third base, giving the Jays an 8-6 win.

Jesuit 4, Barbe 2

The final game against the defending state champion Barb Buccaneers was a tough one for the Jays, who scraped together seven hits and jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first inning, thanks to a two-out solo home run by Hayden Fuentes and an RBI triple by Sepcich that scored Maginnis. Barbe tied the game, 2-2, in the third. In the fifth, the Jays scored a pair of runs off Nick Ray’s double and a single by Briuglio.

Todd Crabtree closed in three of the four games. He earned a save in each of the three.

Mason Mayfield started on the mound for the Jays, pitching 5.1 innings, giving up two runs on two hits, while striking out four Bucs. For the third time, Todd Crabtree closed, pitching the final 1.2 innings. He allowed one hit but in the bottom of the seventh, the Bucs had the bases loaded with one out. Crabtree fanned the final two batters for save number three. Mayfield got the win to improve his record to 2-0.

“Anytime you can go 4-0 in a tournament against four quality opponents, you have to be pleased,” said Coach Latino.

The Jays (10-1) return to John Ryan Stadium for a four-game stand beginning Tuesday, March 15 through Friday, March 18. On Tuesday, the Jays welcome the Venice Vikings from Venice High School in Florida. First pitch is 5 p.m. On Wednesday, the Jays host Lutcher at 5 p.m.

The Gerard Oubre Memorial Tournament begins Thursday with the Jays hosting Byrd High of Shreveport. On Friday, Jesuit plays Zachary at the Ryan. Game times are 5 p.m. The tournament concludes Saturday, March 19, with the Jays traveling to Hahnville for a double-header. The Jays play Central Lafourche at 8:30 a.m., followed by West Ouachita at 11 a.m.