Opportunistic Saints capitalize on Kinder errors to extend win streak

Published 7:00 am Thursday, March 23, 2023

SULPHUR — St. Louis Catholic couldn’t find much offense in its District 3-3A opener but got enough to keep its win streak intact at eight after edging Kinder 2-1 Wednesday at McMurry Park.

Kinder’s Braylen Guillory went the distance on the mound, limiting the Saints to one hit and three baserunners. He had two strikeouts and no walks but hit a pair of batters who scored.

A trio of errors also hindered the Yellow Jackets, who outhit the Saints 6-1.

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In the bottom of the second inning, Gavin Phillips was hit by a pitch and then reached third on an error. He scored the opening run on a sacrifice fly by KeMonni Pullard. Kinder’s Landon Schmitz made a diving catch on the play but couldn’t catch Phillips at the plate.

Pullard was plunked with one out in the fifth inning. He stole second base and scored on back-to-back errors on the same play.

Kinder’s Noah Romero tied the score with a lead-off home run in the top of the third inning, but the Yellow Jackets left four runners stranded over the next four innings with three in scoring position.

St. Louis catcher Jake LaRocca threw out a runner at third base in the fifth and sixth innings to ruin scoring chances for the Yellow Jackets.

James Reina scattered six hits in a complete game for the Saints with seven strikeouts and three walks.

Brecken Bordelon had the Saints’ lone hit on a single in the fifth inning.

St. Louis will take its win streak on the road when it travels to play South Beauregard (15-3, 1-0) at 6 p.m. today in a game that will bring clarity to the district race. The Golden Knights have won seven consecutive games after opening district play on Tuesday with a 16-3 win over Lake Charles College Prep.