South Lake Charles' run ends in regional semifinal
Last Modified: Tuesday, August 07, 2012 7:37 PM
By Randy Novak / Special to the American Press
WACO, Texas — The South Lake Charles Little League All-Stars weren’t ready to end their business trip to Texas quite yet, but a team from Lufkin, Texas, had other plans for the out-of-state visitors.
South Lake Charles was eliminated from the Southwest Regional Tuesday with a 6-0 loss to Texas East. The Lufkin champs will play Thursday night for a trip to Williamsport, Pa., and the Little League World Series.
Despite the loss, team manager Fat Cat Joubert said he was happy with the season his team had put together.
“These kids had the opportunity that a lot of 12-year-olds only dream about, they got to play in a regional tournament,” Joubert said. “This is just a stepping stone in life for them; no one had set their final goal for their life of playing in a Little League World Series. We are disappointed in not making it to Williamsport, but the next chapter in their lives is coming up next, whether it is focusing on their education, playing football, etc.”
Texas East got the advantage early and never looked back.
After Logan
Guillory set down the side in order on
12 pitches to start the game, he hit Texas batters Tyler Torres
and Dartanyon Freeland to lead off the second. An RBI single
by Corey Lewis and a two-run RBI double by Charlie Henson gave Texas
an early 3-0 lead. It was the first time in the tournament
that SLC had trailed. Max Quick extended the lead to 4-0
to with a solo home run to lead off the third inning. Kirkland
Banks replaced Guillory following the Quick shot. Texas East
added an unearned run in the fourth inning and an insurance
run in the fifth.
Texas East pitcher Kolton Eberlan threw a complete game shutout. He allowed three hits, walked two, and struck out nine. It was the first time this season SLC failed to score. Guillory took the loss for SLC and evened his tournament record at 1-1.
“We got down early, something we aren’t used to doing,” Joubert said. “We tried to get the runs back with one swing; but take nothing away from their pitcher. He had a fantastic performance and it shows how a pitcher can control a game. We have done it to others, and today it was done to us. Sometimes that happens, you have to just keep your head up and realize we got beat by what was a better team today.”
The SLC offense, which had erupted in the regional pool play by scoring 37 runs, managed only one extra base hit. Banks had a first-inning double, and singles by Guillory and Sam Brucchaus accounted for the limited attack. For the tournament, Banks lead SLC with a .615 batting average, four home runs and seven RBIs. Nate Briscoe batted .600, with two home runs and 10 RBIs.
“That is why we play each game at a time; I tried not to use Williamsport in any of the team speeches as we tried to never look too far ahead,” Joubert said. “I really thought, and still do, that we have the best team in the tournament. We didn’t play like it today. Our bats picked a bad time to fall asleep; a really bad time to fall asleep.
“No one has any reason to feel bad about what happened; we are hurting right now, but we are going to go back to the hotel and have some fun. The parents, players, coaches can do nothing but feel proud of what we accomplished. These kids came from all over and played the basic game of baseball. They just have to take this experience, learn from it, and remember it the rest of their lives.”
Posted By: Bryan Lawrence On: 10/13/2012
Title:
i play for for south lake charles little league and im number 12 bryan lawrence and i think we did ok
Posted By: Fast On: 8/11/2012
Title: LL SCANDAL
Unfortunate that SLC had to play Lufkin. This team should have been removed prior to the regional tournament. Many illegal players used during District sectional and state tourneys. Rogue league in their 1st year.....LLoA very relieved to have MPLL take them out. President removed by LLoA mid tournament. One of the coaches banned from Dixie baseball for these same kind of issues. Local parents upset that select payers were brought in to play for Lufkin at the end or after the regular season. Just some of the issues with the Lufkin team. Congrats to SLC on a great run.....it should have been them playing McAllistar Park.
Posted By: Heriberto gonzalez On: 8/7/2012
Title:
Is sad 6 ,0
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