Photograph: John Michael Jarrell tags out the runner (in the white uniform) trying to score. (Photograph by Freddie Herpin)
BOBBY ARDOIN
Editor/Consulting Writer
Doses of Opelousas Catholic postseason momentum emerged early and rapidly from a variety of sources Friday afternoon.
Initial energy appeared as catcher John Michael Jarrell powered an inside third-inning fastball onto Prudhomme Lane shortly after Vikings’ pitcher Taylor Hollier extricated himself from a no-out, bases-loaded jam.
The homer for Jarrell – his second of the season – came just moments after he successfully covered home plate and used an accurate throw from outfielder John Trahan to nullify a runner tagging from second base during a 10-0 Division IV select regional-round victory over St. Frederick.
OCS (23-9) used the win at Gene Mills Memorial Field for advancement into the quarterfinal round next week against Catholic High of Pointe Coupee.
Jarrell said he was expecting a different pitch from Warriors’ starter Garrett Taylor before he provided the Vikings with their first three runs of the game.
“I was down 0-and-2 and I was looking for a way to just get the ball into play. I was thinking off-speed, but he threw me a fastball. I think (the home run) really got us excited,” Jarrell said.
Hollier, a lefthander, finished six innings in the run-ruled contest with six strikeouts and two walks while limiting St. Frederick to a pair of hits.
However the second inning perhaps became the most important segment for the Vikings, and Hollier after he walked two batters and hit another to fill the previously empty bases with Warriors.
Two of the next hitters struck out and Carson Day flied out to first baseman Cullen Stelly as St. Frederick failed to manufacture a lead run.
“We weren’t able to get it done then and scratch out something in that inning. I thought that changed the whole dynamic. After that (Hollier) was able to keep throwing strikes and keep us off balance. (Hollier) seemed to just get better,” said St. Frederick head baseball coach Jim Rush.
OCS head baseball coach Justin Boyd liked the Vikings’ overall focus.
“I thought the whole team played well. We hit the ball all day and (Hollier) pitched himself out of trouble. He bent but didn’t break and got two outs himself,” said Boyd.
The first four batters in the OCS lineup supplied the most damage offensively, providing most of the Vikings’ 11 hits.
Leadoff hitter Roland Bergeron and Jordan Luna, the No. 2 batter combined for four hits. Centerfielder Mark Collins tripled and doubled in his first two times at bat, while Jarrell added a single.
Stelly scored three times, while Carter Zerangue had two singles.
