Tigers get emotional win over Trojans

For Thibodaux, its game against Central Lafourche transcended sports.

Earlier in the week, teammate Brandon Talbot was involved in an automobile accident. Talbot’s girlfriend—and the rest of the players’ classmate—Meagan Barrilleaux, 16, was fatally wounded in the crash.

While the Tigers beat Central Lafourche 5-1, taking over the top spot in District 6-5A, the game meant much more to the players. “Since the wreck, it’s been emotional,” said pitcher Clint Dempster. “We just came to play for (Meagan).”

Dempster earned the complete game win, allowing five hits, walking six and striking out six. “It was a big day in memory of Meagan,” he said. “I just tried to pitch my heart out for her.”

As for Talbot, Sunday was the first time he joined his team in the dugout since the accident. Thibodaux coach Wayne Grenfell said having Talbot in uniform was a special moment for his team. “I think the best thing that they were able to do was see Brandon Talbot in uniform today,” he said. “Both families (Talbot and Barrilleaux) came out to the game today. Meagan’s mom and dad, and the extended families came out today. That was a boost in itself to be able to see that.”

Grenfell added that the performance showed the strength of each player. “With what they’ve been through over the course of this week,” said Grenfell, “to be be able to come as focused as they were speaks volumes about their character.”

In the game, Thibodaux (20-10 overall, 9-1 district) used timely hits and effective defense to secure the win. After Central Lafourche (17-11 overall, 8-2 district) tied the game 1-1 in the first inning, the Tigers field play stifled Trojans batters.

“You’ve got to credit Dempster,” said Grenfell. “He did a heck of a job. There were a couple of situations where he (was behind the count), but he was able to throw a lot of strikes and persevere through some innings.”

Central Lafourche coach Scott Duplantis agreed that Dempster’s performance played a key role in the game. “Dempster did a great job,” said Duplantis. “Every time he was asked to, he came up with the big out.”

After a scoreless second inning, the Tigers created breathing room with two runs in the third inning. Dempster got on base on an error, and Cody Dufrene’s double scored courtesy runner Dustin Mahler for a 2-1 lead.

One batter later, Dufrene scored on a fielding error in right field, for a 3-1 lead.

The Tigers extended their lead in the fifth inning. Dufrene drew a walk, and Randall Daigle followed with a double to centerfield. Dufrene scored for a 4-1 advantage.

Two batters later, Daigle scored on Trey Clement’s double down the rightfield line.

Duplantis said Thibodaux’s timely hitting had the Trojans playing catch up. “We got a few runners on, and didn’t get them in,” explained Duplantis. “They got a few runners on, they got them in. They came up with the big hit every time. That’s what makes good teams great. So today, they were the great team; we were the good team.”

Grenfell echoed Duplantis’ sentiments. “The timely hits,” he said. “We had three big ones (and) that’s three sophomores that got those big hits. It was a true, team effort. A Tiger effort.”

While the win put Thibodaux in sole possession of first place, Grenfell warned against his team looking ahead. “We’re a game ahead, but this district is far from over,” he said. “We have a lot of good teams in this district. We’ve got to come to play every day, and I think our kids know that.”

Walt Foran took the loss for the Trojans. Foran gave up eight hits, walked three and struck out three.