TRMC celebrates another comeback in 8-7 squeaker against Morgan City

Thibodaux Regional Medical Center is getting used to comeback wins.

Trailing 6-0 after two innings, Thibodaux Regional battled back behind homeruns from Chase Granier and Brandon Thibodaux for an 8-7 victory over Morgan City Thursday.

“I’m extremely proud of the way we played in tough situations,” said Thibodaux Regional coach Josh Clement. “How we played early, I’m not so impressed with.”

The Morgan City-based Skippers (2-1) jumped out to a 2-0 in the bottom of the first. An Adam Rhodes’ (2-for-4, 5RBIs) single scored Tyler Miller and Lonnie Viellion singled to plate Nick Forgey.

With the base loaded in the second, Rhodes blasted a grand slam over the left-centerfield wall to give the Skippers a 6-0 lead.

Thibodaux Regional (3-0) finally got their bats going in the top of the third.

Granier (1-for-4) belted a three-run homer over the leftfield wall to cut the deficit in half. In the fourth, Thibodaux (1-for-4) hit a 2-run homer to bring Regional within one, 6-5.

“The homerun they got to make it 6-3 gave them new life,” said Morgan City coach Richey Garrett. “They stayed in the game.”

The Skippers pushed a run across the plate in the bottom half of the inning.

Miller’s groundout allowed Ty Thomas to score.

Ahead 7-5, Viellion, who started at shortstop, replaced Skippers pitcher Clint Navarro in sixth.

With the bases loaded, Viellion walked Cody Dufrene to score Andrew Savoie. After fanning Granier, Viellion hit Trey Clement with a pitch, plating Thibodaux and tying the game 7-7.

Viellion got out of the inning by striking out Mike Steib.

The Skippers blew a chance to win the game in the bottom of the seventh. Forgey led off the inning with a double, and a Rhodes groundout advanced him to third.

Next at-bat, Viellion hit a grounder directly to third baseman Trey Clement. Inexplicitly, Forgey tried to tag home and got caught in a rundown. He was tagged out off third base ending the scoring threat.

“They did exactly what they were supposed to do,” Clement said. They caught the baseball and threw the baseball where it’s supposed to go.”

In the eighth, Trey Clement hit an RBI single that scored Randel Daigle from second, giving Thibodaux Regional their only lead of the game 8-7.

Morgan City squandered two chances to tie the game in the bottom of the inning.

With Thomas Ledbetter on first, Tanner Manuel knocked a triple into right-centerfield. Ledbetter tried to score but was thrown out home.

Next at-bat, Navarro hit a grounder to Daigle at shortstop. Manuel attempted to tag up from third, but he too was thrown out at home ending the Skippers last scoring opportunity.

“We have a bunch of young guys who haven’t played yet, and that’s what summer play is all about,” said Garrett. “What happened tonight is going to help them for next year.”

“I always have confidence in all my players,” said coach Clement. “I never ask the guys to do more than they can.”

Byron Landry got the win for Thibodaux Regional with one inning of work in relief. Viellion took the loss for the Skippers allowing three runs (two unearned), four hits, three strikeouts, three walks and a hit batter.

May 26

Thibodaux 8, Berwick 3

E.D. White 15, Morgan City 11

Patterson 8, H.L. Bourgeois 0

South Terrebonne 12, Lutcher 0

May 27

Terrebonne 1, South Lafourche 1

Morgan City 10, H.L. Bourgeois 0

Thibodaux 11, E.D. White 10

May 28

South Terrebonne 7, Vandebilt 0

May 29

Vandebilt 11, Central Lafourche 2

Berwick 8, H.L. Bourgeois 7

Terrebonne 9, Lutcher 2

May 31

Vandebilt 6, Terrebonne 2

Morgan City batter Adam Rhodes stares down Thibodaux Regional Medical Center pitcher Mike Steib. Rhodes hit a grand slam home run, giving Morgan City a 6-0 lead. Thibodaux would ultimately come back to claim the win 8-7. * Photo by KEYON JEFF