VC takes care of Vandebilt Catholic

The No. 3 Vermilion Catholic Eagles stepped up in classification and defeated the Select Division II No.3-ranked Vandebilt Catholic Terriers 5-3 Saturday at Ralph Sellers Field.
The Eagles (17-7) got a strong performance on the mound from Fisher Quackenbos. The junior hurler went six innings, allowing one run on five hits and one walk while striking out three.
“The difference in the game today was our starting pitcher,” VC head coach Ben Harrington said. “Fisher had struggled his last couple of outings, but we know who he is. We’ve been waiting for him to reappear. It couldn’t have been a better spot. I’m proud of that kid.”
For Quackenbos, the confidence his coach showed in him made the difference.
“I had been struggling my last few games,” he said. “Coach showed he had confidence in me by giving me a big game. I took that confidence and put it toward myself.”
The Eagles scored four of their five runs in the third inning. Senior Jackson Trahan ignited the rally with a one-out single that hit the Vandebilt pitcher in the head. After a brief delay to make sure he was okay, play resumed.
Bryce Lege singled before Will Simon was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Caden DeHart, Jacob Dubois, and Ross Dartez each drew RBI walks before Jonathan Dartez beat out an infield single to make it 5-1.
“Jackson got us going,” Harrington said. “He’s been a catalyst for us all year. That hit threw their pitcher off a little bit. Our guys did a great job at the plate of taking what they were giving us. They did exactly what they needed to do.”
The Terriers rallied in the seventh, using two hit by pitches, a walk, a single, and an error to plate two runs. Reliever Cole Albert induced a pop-out with the bases loaded to escape the jam.
Trahan finished with two hits to lead the Eagles at the plate. Jonathan Dartez had one hit and one RBI while Lege had a hit. Ross Dartez, DeHart, and Dubois each had an RBI.
VC traveled to Delcambre on Tuesday. They host Oakdale on Thursday before finishing the week at home Friday again parish rival Erath.