By ROBERT L. LEE

DESTREHAN – “When you play Hahnville you expect it to come down to a big hit or a big pitch,” said Fighting Wildcats’ coach Marty Luquet. His expectations materialized in the bottom of the seventh inning for the 4-3 win Wednesday. With the scored tied at three since the third inning, Destrehan’s Larry McVay delivered a shot to right field for a double. Cheers erupted from the stands and Hahnville coach Mark Sims called his infielders in for a huddle. The Fighting Wildcats’ Daniel Vitrano responded with a hit into the hole over second base, allowing himself a single and pushing McVay to third.

With Destrehan’s Larry Matherne up to bat, the Tigers decided to simply avoid him and allowed him to walk to first. The decision placed Daniel Roussel at the plate, facing two outs and the bases loaded. Suddenly the door swung open for Destrehan as a wild, high pitch beamed past the Hahnville catcher and McVay darted in from third for the game-ending run.

“McVay had the big day, his double in the second gave us the 3-2 lead and he set up the winning run,” explained Luquet.

Considering the Tigers notched eight hits offensively and routinely shut the Fighting Wildcats down at home plate, it only seemed a matter of time when the Tigers would use one inning to pummel Destrehan and build an unsurmountable lead.

“I was worried at every point during the game,” admitted Luquet. “Hahnville expects to win and they’re not going to let you have it easy. It’s always a parish rivalry and they’re the team to beat,” Luquet continued, while explaining the numbers of fans filling the bleachers.

The fans watched in the opening minutes as Destrehan pitcher Andrew Lassere pitched to three Tiger batters for three outs in the first inning. Destrehan’s third batter, Trey Simon, slipped in the team’s first hit of the evening on a line drive to center field, after the opening two batters were tagged out at first. Matherne was the fourth batter and accounted for the third out when his hit traveled back to the Hahnville pitcher, who made the immediate throw to first. With the bases loaded and one out in the top of the second inning, the Tigers drove a hit directly to Destrehan’s Rustin Rebowe, who closed his glove on the split-second catch for the second out. However, Hahnville returned with a shallow hit to left field on the next at bat which sent two runners in to score.

The Fighting Wildcats also scored their first run in the second inning, as Sean Bergeron hit a single then worked his way around to third base. Two more Destrehan hitters reached the bases, before a hit to center was caught for an out, but Bergeron had enough time to jog in for the score. Next in the lineup, McVay drove in his double, bringing the other two Destrehan runners off the base and in for the 3-2 lead.

“I am so satisfied, we had great pitching and played solid defense. These guys compete,” said Luquet. “It will be tough at their (Tigers) place next time, but that’s what makes the rivalry.”

The Fighting Wildcats are scheduled to take on the Tigers April 13 at 1 p.m. In Hahnville.