Cecilia edges Notre Dame in extra innings

ND's Ryan Roger attempts to slide past Cecilia's catcher Chase Gravouilla

Photo by: Susette Brunson

CROWLEY – Each time Cecilia and Notre Dame have squared off on the diamond the last four year’s, it has been a battle to the end.
The only difference Monday was the fact that the two weren’t battling it out for a district title.
Cecilia (25-6), which moved from District 5-AAA to 6-AAA this year, returned a visit from Notre Dame earlier in the year and slipped away from Miller Stadium with a thrilling 8-7 eight-inning victory.
Notre Dame (16-12) actually took a three-run lead heading into the top of the seventh inning, but the Pios were unable to hold on.
Matt Savoie gave up two hits and a walk to load the bases before hitting Tyler Champagne for the first run of the inning. Gadge Norris followed with a towering double that went off the left field wall just below the scoreboard to tie the game at 7-7.
Cecilia sophomore Joe Bernard, who entered the game in relief in the sixth, struck out the first two batters he faced in the bottom of the seventh before getting Tyler Vondenstein to ground out to first for the final out.
Devin Broussard tripled to start the eighth and scored the eventual game-winning run on a single by Sage Guidry.
Bernard preserved the victory by striking out the side in the bottom of the frame. In three innings, he struck out six and gave up just two hits.
Norris had two doubles and three RBI for the Bulldogs and Barry Guidry had two singles.
Leonards paced the Pios with a 3-for-4 performance that included a triple and two RBI.
D.J. Welter was the only other Pio with multiple hits, going 2-for-3 with two singles.
Zack Abshire doubled and drove in a run; Tim Vondenstein had a single and an RBI; Savoie and Austin Robichaux each had one hit and Chance Oustalet drove in one run.