Pitching is key for Thibodaux High School Tigers

What Brent Bonvillain starts, Jacob Benoit finishes.

And what Benoit starts, Bonvillain finishes.

It’s the formula that Thibodaux High baseball coach Scott Abadie has used to help put the Tigers in the position they are currently in – first in the district.

As the two starting pitchers for the Tigers, Bonvillain and Benoit have single-handedly put the Tigers atop the District 8-5A standings with near flawless performances on the mound.

Each has provided relief for the other as they alternate mound appearances.

And both have become feared around the district.

Between the two, they have averaged double-digit strikeouts in every District 8-5A game this season.

In last week’s 3-1 victory over the South Terrebonne Gators, 16 of the 21 outs recorded were strikeouts. Bonvillain, the starter of the game, notched 13 while Benoit came in for one inning of relief and struck out the only three batters he faced.

Behind the performance of the two pitchers, the Tigers have avenged losses to every team that has beaten them in district.

No matter who starts, when one feels like he can’t finish, there is no hesitation handing the ball over to the other to finish the game.

It’s the kind of relationship every coach dreams their pitchers to have, and it’s that relationship with each other that has helped both become so successful this season.

For Abadie, it’s a luxury he’s savoring as long as he can.

“It’s always good when you have two guys like that who can throw the ball for you,” he said. “It puts you ahead of the pack in district because when you run out of one guy, you can always throw the other guy and expect the same results. Our team feeds off of those two guys and they love it.”

Before the season started, the Tigers struggled hitting the ball, so their record suffered. By the time the Tigers started providing the two pitchers run support, they became one of the premier teams in the district.

“Our confidence is coming back as a team and it shows,” Abadie explained. “If those two guys can keep pitching the way they are and if we can keep getting the hitting to complement them, we’ll do great things.”

In every inning of every game the Tigers have played this year, the relationship between the two star pitchers has shown.

From the dugout, words of encouragement can be heard from one pitcher to the next. As Benoit was walking off the mound in the win against the Gators, the first one to greet him was Bonvillain, who had pulled himself out the game so Benoit could finish it.

“I have 100 percent faith in Jacob,” Bonvillain, a senior, said. “I know he will come in and finish for me if I need him too. We’ve done it for each other all season long.”

Benoit, a junior, shares that same respect towards his fellow pitcher.

“I know when I come in I just have to go out and finish the game, do what I do best,” he said. “I have a lot of confidence in Brent just as he does me. I never expect him to come out, but when he does I know I can go in and finish the job.”

“We’re there to encourage each other,” he added.

With the baseball playoff seedings expected to be announced next week, the Tigers feel they have the tools they need in the two pitchers to make a run.

One thing is certain however: They are going to be ready to throw.

Both pitchers bring something different. Bonvillain is known more for throwing hard while Benoit is known for off-speed stuff.

However, Benoit can throw hard if the opportunity presents itself.

The two different styles is what Abadie believes has helped the team be successful this season and could make the difference heading into the playoffs.

“They do a good job of complimenting each other,” the coach said. “They both bring something different to the table. It keeps teams off balance in district because none of the teams see the same guy twice. That’s been the story all season long. These guys come to play every day.”

Bonvillain said he’s looking to finish his high school career off the right way, and should the season rest on his counterpart’s shoulders, he’s confident Benoit will get the job done.

“It’s definitely one of the luxuries we have to have two pitchers like us who have confidence in each other,” he said. “I know if I’m off, I can come out and he’ll come in and finish the job for me. I’m sure he feels the same on his off- days. I have no problem handing him the ball with the season on the line. There is no one else I’d rather have out there if I can’t be.”

Bonvillain’s team-first attitude has made things easier on Abadie.

“We’ve been playing great and it’s at the right time,” he said. “A large part is because of the attitude of the two pitchers. Everything is panning out. Everything we’ve worked for all amounts to this. We just have to go get it. They both want it pretty bad.”

“We just have to stay strong,” Benoit said. “We know we can do it, it’s just a matter of going out there and doing it.”

For the rest of Class 5A, facing one confident ace is scary, but two has the potential to be terrifying for opponents.

Brent Bonvillain delivers a pitch against the South Terrebonne Gators last week. Behind the performance of Bonvillain and fellow pitcher Jacob Benoit, the Tigers have powered themselves to first place in the District 8-5A standings. * Photo by KYLE CARRIER