Griffins score late to push past Zachary

ZACHARY?- Dutchtown scored four runs in the top of the seventh inning to push past Zachary 8-4 Tuesday night at Zachary Youth Park.

“We are playing pretty good right now,” Dutchtown head coach Chris Schexnaydre said. “We were both a little cautious with our pitching. We tried to limit some of our arms just because we wanted to be strong going into district play this week. That is obviously the most important part of our season right now coming up.”

The Griffins pushed their record to 14-3-2 with the victory over the two-time defending Class 4A state champion Broncos (10-7-1).

“They have a very good program and they have established themselves,” Schexnaydre said. “We were fortunate late to grab a few runs.”

Cameron Breeden picked up the win in two and 2/3 innings of relief giving up one run on three hits and two walks while striking out three. Jesse Buratt  got the save in 2/3 innings of relief.

Zachary knotted it up 4-4 in the bottom of the sixth inning. Wesley Perkins was hit by a pitch with one out in the seventh to start the Griffins’ rally. Buratt singled before Leon Blouin was hit to load the bases. John Lambert drew a walk to plate a run and Matt Willis’ squeeze bunt crossed another before the throw got away putting Dutchtown ahead 7-0. Dillon Day’s groundout provided the final tally.

Day led off the game with a solo home run, his third homer in three games. Alex Millet singled to left and stole second before scoring on Britt Gautreaux’s liner to center.

“(Day) is obviously in the zone,” Schexnaydre said. “Some guys get into a rythem at the plate and the baseball looks really big for them. Baseball is a funny sport and things could change in a hurry but hopefully he can continue to stay hot for us.”

Zachary answered with two runs in the bottom half.

Troy Lewis and Millet drew walks in the third inning advancing on a pass ball before Perkins’ groundout plated a run. The Broncos knotted it up in the bottom half.

Buratt lined a two-out single in the fifth inning and pinch running Jacob Williams stole second before Blouin drew a walk and Lambert singled to plate a run.

Buratt was 2 for 4 and Lambert was 2 for 3 with  two RBIs.