Wolves shut out Franklin Parish, advance to 4-A state quarterfinals

RAYNE - The No. 23-ranked Rayne High Wolves have proven it’s not how you’re ranked, but how you play the game as they head into the 4-A state quarterfinals this week.
“I’ve told this guys more than once, one play at a time and one game at a time,” stated Rayne High Head Coach Jason Bonin following Saturday’s 11-0 shutout of No. 26-ranked Franklin Parish of the Winnsboro area.
“They are doing what they have worked for all season,” Bonin continued as he accesses the regional win on the Wolves’ home diamond. “On offense, we are seeing the ball, making contact and executing the play.
“Defensively, I can’t say enough,” Bonin noted while discussing the two double plays his infield turned during the afternoon win.
“If the ball gets in the outfield, our guys are there and know where to go. It’s coming to them automatically now, something you always want to see as a coach, especially at this point.”
Helping Saturday’s effort was a complete game shutout by Rayne hurler Colin LaCombe who allowed only two hits and zero runs over five innings. Lacombe recorded the last 15 outs to earn the save for the Wolves.
Beginning the scoring attack for the Wolves was Alex Savoy who tagged home on a passed ball for a quick 1-0 Rayne lead at the top of the second frame.
The third inning saw Damarcus James, Zach Fontenot and Christian Comeaux all touch home for a 4-0 lead for the Wolves.
The fourth inning saw Tanner LaGrange tag home for another Rayne score.
But, the icing on the cake came in fifth inning when the Wolves made a wrap around their line-up scoring six six runs for the eventual 11-0 fifth inning shutout.
James had a big day with two hits including a triple and three RBIs.
Comeaux, Fontenot, LaGrange, Harvey and Babineaux also collected hits with productive RBIs to contribute towards the win.
In Friday’s first game of the series, Franklin Parish got their offense started early scoring ane run.
But, the Wolves collected four runs in the fourth inning for a decent lead.
Rayne’s Christian Comeaux hit into a fielder’s choice which scored a run. Zach Fontenot’s sacrafice fly scored another Rayne run. Then, Darian Richard homered on a 3-2 count, scoring two runs.
Julian Harvey took the win for Rayne on the mound. He allowed three runs on five hits over four and a third innings, striking out five.
Will Arceneaux and Bryce Gatte entered the game out of the bullpen and helped to close out the game in relief. Gatte recorded the last two outs to earn the save for the Wolves.
McMurray took the loss for Franklin Parish. He went three and two-thirds innings, allowing three runs on seven hits and striking out one.
Rayne scattered 12 hits for the win seeing Alex Savoy, Demarcus James, Richard, and Gatte all collecting multiple hits for the Wolves.
Savoy went 4-for-4 at the plate to lead Rayne in hits.
On defense, Rayne was spotless, not commiting a single error in the field. James had the most chances in the field with eight.
The Wolves will now host Westgate from there own district this week in the quarterfinals. Westgate defeated Warren Easton in three games over the weekend.
Quarterfinal action begins Thursday at 6 p.m., the first of the best of three, The second game is slated for Friday at 6 p.m. With a split, the third game will immediately follow on Friday at 6:30 p.m. Action will take place at Gossen Memorial Park in Rayne.
Quarterfinal winners qualify for the semis and the 4-A State Baseball Tournament slated May 9-12 at McMurry Park in Sulphur.