With just six contests remaining on the 2013 regular season schedule, the Cane Cutters found themselves in an important road showdown with the Woodlands Strykers on Saturday night. With both teams still very much alive in playoff hunt, each fancied inching that much closer to securing a tournament bid by the end of the evening.
The Cane Cutters started off with a bang in the top of the first when Texas A&M's Mitchell Nau connected on a solo home run to capture the early lead. The momentum soon slowed however, when starter Victor Sanchez ran into some trouble on the mound, issuing a few free passes and allowing four earned after the first frame.
The scoring barrage continued as the Cutters' Nick Dawson tallied two in the top of the 2nd by driving in Blake Brom and Connor Barron; narrowing the gap to a 4-3 Woodlands lead. The Strykers' own pitching then became their worst enemy. Outfielder Jordie Hein would take a bases loaded fastball to the back to bring in Colton Freeman, soon followed by a wild pitch to allow Dawson to cross. Later in the inning, Nau would produce again, this time scoring Chance Vincent on a sacrifice fly, pushing the Canes ahead 6-4. The Woodlands were not to be outdone though. The home team answered with a pair of their own in the inning to knot things up at sixes after just two complete.
The pitching would settle down and keep both teams scoreless through the next two until Chris Sciambra was able to recapture the lead for Acadiana in the 5th, bringing in Logan Taylor and essentially opening the floodgates for the rest of the game. The Cutter offense would go on to score two in the sixth, two in the seventh, and seven in the eighth to extend the lead and cruise to a comfortable 18-6 victory. Catcher Mitchell Nau was truly the story of the game. He finished the contest going 4-for-5 at the dish, accounting for six RBIs, two runs scored, and two round-trippers.
Acadiana will go for the sweep against the Woodlands tomorrow night before returning to Fabacher Field to face the East Texas Pump Jacks on Tuesday for the final home stand of the year. On Tuesday night, the Cane Cutters will be auctioning three authentic, game-worn, team autographed jerseys during the game. You won't want to miss a special chance to take home a piece of what could be a very special 2013 season. Keep up with the team as they look to lock up a playoff berth by visiting CaneCuttersBaseball.com, Following @CaneCutterBB on Twitter, and Liking Acadiana Cane Cutters Baseball on Facebook.