by Staff Reports
The Origin Blue Jays American Legion baseball team opened its summer season with a 2-1 record over the weekend, defeating Natchitoches Central and Tigers 18U before falling in the finale of a Saturday doubleheader against Tigers 18U.
The Blue Jays are comprised of players from Cedar Creek School and are coached by Chad Yates. They are sponsored by Origin Bank and American Legion Post #2.
“We were excited to partner with Origin Bank and have them sponsor our American Legion Team,” said Yates. “They were excited to be involved and look forward to seeing American Legion Baseball provide some opportunities for our surrounding players in the community.
“When I reached out to Mr. Tom Boniol with the America Legion Post #2 over a year ago, he was very excited to see how they could help and be involved. We look forward to continue to partner up with the local post and hope to see many of them that are involved out at the ball games.”
The squad opened play Friday with a 9-1 victory over Natchitoches Central.
Connor Yates led the offense, going 3-for-3 with a double and two RBIs. Yates doubled and scored during a three-run first inning before adding singles in the second and fourth innings.
Origin broke the game open with a five-run fourth inning. Yates delivered an RBI single, Gunner Fontenot added a two-run triple and the Blue Jays also capitalized on a wild pitch and an error during the rally.
Yates earned the win on the mound, allowing one unearned run on three hits over four innings while striking out three. Liam Durrett tossed a scoreless inning in relief.
“Connor got the win on the mound,” said Chad Yates. “Connor competed in the strike zone and we were able to score some runs for him.”
Fontenot joined Yates with two RBIs in the victory.
The Blue Jays returned Saturday and split a doubleheader against Tigers 18U.
In the opener, Origin rallied from an early deficit and held on for an 8-7 victory.
After falling behind 1-0 in the first inning, the Blue Jays answered with six runs in the second to take control. Micah Taylor highlighted the inning with a two-run double as Origin collected six hits during the frame.
David Craighead added an RBI single in the third inning to push the lead to 7-1.
Eli Slocum picked up the win after allowing one run on three hits over two innings. Daulton Price and Fontenot worked in relief as Tigers 18U mounted a late comeback.
“Eli started the game and pitched a couple of good innings for us,” said Chad Yates. “Eli was a big help for us his freshman year, and this season he decided to focus a little more on his offensive play. We are excited to get him back going on the mound and look for him to provide us some quality innings this summer.
“OCS found themselves back in the game after Slocum exited the mound. Gunner Fontenot was able to hold them down.”
Abram Riser and Jax Doiron each had two hits for Origin, while Taylor and Doiron drove in two runs apiece.
The Blue Jays were unable to complete the sweep in the nightcap, falling 14-2.
Origin struck first when Slocum drove in a run with a groundout in the top of the first inning, but Tigers 18U responded with eight runs in the bottom half of the inning to seize control of the game.
Tigers 18U added two more runs in the second inning and four in the third to end the game early.
Taylor and Cason Floyd recorded the Blue Jays’ only hits, while Taylor and Slocum each drove in a run.
Yates highlighted the weekend offensively, going 3-for-3 with a double and two RBIs in Friday’s win over Natchitoches Central. Taylor drove in three runs over Saturday’s two games, while Doiron collected two hits and two RBIs in the Blue Jays’ victory in the opening game of the doubleheader.
SUMMER SCHEDULE
June 12 defeated Natchitoches Central 9-1
June 13 defeated OCS 8-7
June 14 ???
June 16 at Neville at 6 p.m.
June 18 at Benton at 5 p.m.
June 20 vs Swing Lab (at BPCC) at 9 a.m.
June 20 vs 2Seam (at BPCC) at 11:30 a.m.
June 23 vs Monroe Buffs (at Cedar Creek) at 6 p.m.
June 24-28 Tournament (at Cedar Creek) TBD
June 30 vs. Monroe Buffs (at Neville) at 6 p.m.
