The No. 18 Sam Houston Broncos punched their ticket to the Class 4A state tournament with a 5-3 win over the No. 7 Vandebilt Catholic Terriers on Saturday in Houma.
“It’s a big win to go on the road and get the win against a good team,” said Sam Houston head coach Brad Book.
The Terriers (22-7-1) took an early 1-0 lead scoring an unearned run in the first inning after getting two walks, but Sam Houston was able to shut Vandebilt down for the next five innings to allow their offense to put them ahead.
The Broncos (25-11) picked up four runs in the third to take a 4-1 lead, but the Terriers battled back and scored two more runs in the sixth to cut the lead to 4-3.
Sam Houston picked up a big insurance run in the top of the seventh to seal the 5-3 win.
Dylan Champagne picked up the win for the Broncos pitching six innings while allowing three runs on six hits with two strikeouts and a walk. Cody Rider picked up the save while pitching the seventh.
Andrew Guillotte scored two runs for Sam Houston while going 1-for-2 at the plate. Billy Sommers went 0-for-3 with 2 RBI’s with Donovan Landry, Evan Powell and Garrett Logan each driving in one run.
Cory LaPeze took the loss for Vandebilt pitching seven innings while allowing five runs on four hits with six strikeouts and four walks.
Brady Domingue led the Terriers at the plate going 2-for-3 with a run scored.
With Saturday’s win, the Broncos advance to their second consecutive Class 4A semifinal game.
“It’s such a difficult thing to do,” Book said on reaching the state tournament. “We are very blessed to have the opportunity for the second year in a row to go back.”
The Broncos will take on the winner of No. 11 Teurlings Catholic and No. 3 West Ouachita who will play at 5 p.m. on Monday.
