VC, Erath primed for playoff run

ERATH – The Erath Bobcats topped the Vermilion Catholic Eagles 8-1 Saturday afternoon at Ross Granger Field as both teams jockey for playoff positioning.
With the win, the Bobcats (22-7) jumped from sixth to fourth in the Division II Non-Select power rankings. They are 0.333 points ahead of the Rayne Wolves. They have one game remaining against the Notre Dame Pioneers.
The move is significant because the top four seeds are guaranteed two home games in the playoffs. If the Bobcats can hang on to that four-spot, the road to Sulphur will pass through Erath.
Erath head coach Jeremy Picard is grateful to be talking about the playoffs. After a long season, he believes his team is ready.
“We’re hoping we can stay at four,” said Picard. “But we’re thankful we’re in the playoffs, number one. And two, we have a home game with a chance for two.”
“Our kids are getting to the point where it’s playoff time. We’ve been getting after it since September. We’re ready to make that run.”
The Eagles (17-8) are fifth in the Division IV Select power rankings. They are 0.300 points behind district foe Central Catholic of Morgan City for that coveted four-spot.
VC hosted Carencro on Monday and will close out the regular season at home against DeQuincy on Friday. If the Eagles crack the top four, they would be guaranteed two home games in the playoffs.
Vermilion Catholic head coach Ben Harrington is proud of how his team came together in the second half of the season. He believes playing at home is significant to his team because they play on artificial turf.
“I’m super proud of how the team’s come together,” Harrington said. “We have great leadership at the top with our juniors and seniors. I’m really looking forward to ending the season on a positive note.”
“The goal is to finish in the top four. That guarantees we play at home until we go to Sulphur. We have the turf at home, and that kind of spoils us.”
Erath jumped ahead in the bottom of the second inning. Ashton Alleman and Landen Derouen had an RBI to give the Bobcats a 2-0 lead.
Thomas Collins made it 3-0 in the bottom of the third when he sent a rope over the leftfield wall. The Bobcats scored three more times in the fourth and once in the fifth to take a commanding 7-0 lead.
VC scored its lone run in the sixth inning. Jackson Trahan singled to get the rally started. Bryce Lege doubled to advance Trahan to third. Trahan then scored on a passed ball.
Brennan Broussard concluded the scoring in the bottom of the sixth when he sent the first pitch of the inning over the leftfield wall for a solo homerun.
Seth Leger started on the mound for Erath. The junior hurler had another dominant performance, striking out 11 while only allowing a run on four hits and a walk.
Fisher Quackenbos took the loss for VC. He allowed seven runs (two earned) on seven hits and a walk while striking out one.
After becoming the first class to win a district title all four years they were at the school, the Erath senior class wants to do something else that’s never been done before – bring a state championship home to Erath.
Bobcats senior Lynkon Romero said the team has been dreaming of this moment since they were little. Reaching their ultimate goal would be great for the team and the community.
“Ever since we were little, we have been looking forward to this year,” Romero said. “The goal in every sport is to win a state championship. To make it happen in the last sport of our senior year would be really special to us and the whole town.”