The Louisiana Boys blew the doors off the hinges in game one of the Dixie Youth World Series in Bartow, Florida. They crushed Mississippi 10-0 on the arm of Christian Duplechin and some offensive heroics. It was an amazing way to start the tournament.

Louisiana (Ville Platte) advanced to the second round of the winner’s bracket to meet the winner out of Bartow and Arkansas. Louisiana will play today at 6:30 p.m.

Christian Duplechin battled the whole way, throwing five innings. He fanned nine batters and allowed just one hit. He got tons of support from his defense. Dino Deshotel made two great stabs at first base, including one that turned into a double play. Wesley Marcantel also made a spectacular play from his third-base position.

Ville Platte scored two runs in the bottom of the second inning. With the bases loaded, Head Coach Thomas Scully called a trick play on the bases. The play made the runners on first and second look as if they were going to steal the next base, but instead they fell down. The Mississippi catcher went chasing after the runners. This allowed Aiden Lejeune who was at third to score. On the same play, a heads up play from Grant Soileau allowed him to score the second run.

In the bottom of the third block, Dru Scully reached base when he bunted for a base hit and Brad Hesnor followed with a fielder’s choice. Both runners came home on passed balls later in the inning. The 4-0 lead was giving VP plenty of momentum and they were not about to stop.

In the bottom of the fourth frame, Ville Platte scored four runs. Lucas Vallet began the inning with a walk and Jaden Prudhomme followed with a single. The bases would go loaded after Grant Soileau received a free pass on four balls. Cade Foret hit into a fielder’s choice, allowing Vallet to score. Later in the inning, Scully singled home a run and Hesnor hit into a fielder’s choice to score a run as well. Christian Duplechin, who walked on four balls, scored on a passed ball, making it 8-0.

In the fifth frame, Ville Platte needed just two runs to end the game. Vallet and Jaden Prudhomme reached base and went to third and second base when Grant Soileau hit into an error. With the bases loaded, Tyler Mire walked, forcing home Vallet. At 9-0, VP just needed one hit to end the game. Who would come to the plate, none other than Christian Duplechin who had been pitching a great game up to this point. He stroked the first pitch he saw off the left center field wall for a “walk-off” single.

Ville Platte only collected a handful of hits in the game, but they took great advantage of every opportunity they got. It was a great performance altogether.