By ROBERT L. LEE

DESTREHAN – “The trip was nice and we learned a lot, like every small mistake is magnified. We do intend to go back,” said coach Marty Luquet when his Fighting Wildcats returned home after their quarterfinal playoff loss Friday in New Iberia to the would-be state champion Jesuit High School Blue Jays.

The small mistakes totalled four errors and resulted in never finding the momentum to overtake the more playoff-experienced Jesuit team.

The Blue Jays opened with two solo home runs, which were quickly canceled out by Destrehan’s two run rebuttal in the bottom of the first inning. A wild pitch with the bases loaded brought the Blue Jays back into the lead, never to look back.

The Fighting Wildcats continued to threaten with runners in scoring position, but such feats as a rare triple play in the third inning, from second to first to home killed Destrehan’s determined drive.

Daniel Vitrano and Trey Simon hit single shots to get on base, then Larry Matherne delivered a ground ball to the Blue Jay pitcher, who attempted a double play. Safe on third base, Vitrano waited, then launched for home, where he was too late and tagged for the third out.

“We battled the whole way, trying to create some runs, but it all comes down to execution,” said a noticeably upset Luquet.

“The four hits in the first inning felt good, but you’ve got to give their pitcher credit, he never gave in. Right before the triple play I felt the momentum building. But it’s my fault, I probably should have held him (Vitrano) there.”

Combined with another home run in the fourth inning to put Jesuit up 4-2, the Fighting Wildcats could not fully recover. Despite the 9-5 final score, the Fighting Wildcats trailed Jesuit by two hits, 12-10. However, in normal play an average two or three hits are needed to score one run.

“We just couldn’t turn our hits into runs,” added Luquet. “We really played well going in and I hoped we would play like we did in the previous 18 games. But there’s something about having been there, makes teams relax. We really weren’t comfortable.”

He said his pitchers had some good pitches, but Jesuit still managed to hit them for home runs.

Beau Jones (6-2) led off on the mound for Destrehan. Andrew Lassere took over in the third inning and Jared Strickland relieved him in the much troubled seventh.

Jesuit brought in five runners in the top of the final inning, which Destrehan could only answer with two runs before their next two batters were struck out to end the game.

“It takes a lot of really special performances and a lot of different players to step up, and Jesuit has that,” said Luquet.

“That’s the finality of it. But I’ve tried stress what a run it was and how proud I am of them. It’s just a different atmosphere and I was proud to be there, but I want to win.”

The team will take a break for about a week, then most of the players will crank back up with American Legion baseball games around the end of May, some others will put on helmets and prepare for football.