Zachary Broncos Catch Jays Flat-Footed in 7-1 Rout; Jays Rally to Defeat John Curtis Patriots in Second Game, 5-4

Scott Crabtree is smiling all the way past 2nd base on his way to an RBI triple against John Curtis in game 2 of a doubleheader for Jesuit in the Gerard Oubre Memorial Tournament on Friday, March 20 at John Ryan Stadium.

View the Gerard Oubre Memorial Tournament Game 1 Photo Gallery: Jesuit vs. Assumption

View the Photo Galleries from the Jesuit Invitational Tournament

In the three games the Jays have played thus far in the Gerard Oubre Memorial Tournament, they were trounced in one and staged come-from-behind rallies to win the other two.  

The doubleheader Jesuit hosted Friday night brought the 3rd-ranked Zachary Broncos and the John Curtis Patriots to John Ryan Stadium. Jesuit was caught flat-footed against Zachary but did better against the Pats.

Trent Forshag has the ball tucked in his glove and is ready to tag this Bronco runner at the plate. But Forshag is a split second too late and Zachary scores their sixth run in the first game of a doubleheader Friday afternoon at John Ryan Stadium. The Jays took a Bronco beating, 7-1.

How flat? Pancake flat. Tire flat. Souffle flat. The Broncos scored runs in the first five innings and the Jays might have been shut out had Zachary’s pitcher not walked in Jesuit’s only run in the bottom of the 7th. The Jays’ starter, junior Mason Mayfield, was pulled with one out in the 3rd inning. But the damage was done – the Broncos already had 4 runs on 6 hits. Senior Logan Hornung finished the game, giving up 3 runs on 7 hits. The Broncos outhit the Jays, 13-5.     

“Anytime you give up early runs to a very good team, and you’re playing catchup the whole game, it’s hard and that’s what we were trying to do,” said Coach Joey Latino. “You’re increasing your chances to lose when you’re constantly playing from behind and we’ve been doing that a little bit too much lately.”

That Bronco-style kicking played mind games with the Jays. “I told them to flush that game,” said Coach Latino. “It doesn’t matter if we lost 2-1 or 7-1 or 15-nothing. A loss is a loss. We’re facing another good team and you got to get ready to play, and get yourself ready to play in a short amount of time. Hopefully we can do it.”

Senior Jack Burk was on the mound for the Jays against the Patriots. He pitched six innings and was relieved by Myles Blunt. After 5 innings, the Jays were down 3-2. The Jays Scott Crabtree came up with a big RBI triple to keep the game close in the early innings. A late rally scored three runs and Jesuit’s defense held the Pats to one additional run. The Jays escaped with a 5-4 win. The first three games of the tournament were played at John Ryan Stadium.

The Jays, whose record is 14-4, close out the tournament against a strong Hahnville team on Saturday, March 21. The game takes place in the Tigers lair upriver with first pitch at 12:30 p.m. earlier this season, Jesuit defeated the Tigers 8-4 in the Jesuit Invitational Tournament. Hahnville has something to prove in Saturday’s game. Jesuit does, too.

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