The Bossier Parish Community College Cavaliers defeated Tyler Junior College 13-10 Wednesday in the first of a three-game Region 14 series Wednesday at BPCC.
BPCC (24-10, 13-6), ranked No. 24 in NJCAA Division I, and Tyler (21-17, 17-12) are scheduled to complete the series with a 1 p.m. doubleheader Saturday in Tyler, Texas.
A potent offense and clutch pitching down the stretch were key for the Cavs.
BPCC leaned on standout performances from Hayden Stringfellow, DJ Pinkerton and Dylan Biddick at the plate, while Brandon Levy and Zander Bretza slammed the door shut on Tyler’s comeback hopes.
The game was a back-and-forth battle from the start, with both teams lighting up the scoreboard early.
Bossier Parish’s offense, however, rose to the occasion, delivering a barrage of big hits to build a lead that Tyler couldn’t quite overcome. Stringfellow led the charge, going 3-for-5 with three RBIs. His steady production kept the Cavaliers’ momentum rolling, as he consistently found ways to get on base and drive in runs at key moments.
Pinkerton provided the fireworks, smashing two home runs, Nos. 7 and 8 on the year, while racking up five RBI. Pinkerton’s monster day at the plate was a cornerstone of the Cavaliers’ offensive outburst.
As the game entered its later stages, Dylan Biddick delivered the dagger. With Tyler threatening to claw back, Biddick stepped up and crushed a clutch late-inning home run, providing critical insurance runs that kept Bossier Parish in the driver’s seat.
His timely swing underscored the Cavaliers’ ability to perform under pressure and set the stage for their pitchers to close it out.
Enter Levy and Bretza (a recent San Diego State signee), the unsung heroes of the night. Levy took the mound in the sixth inning with the game still in the balance and promptly shut down Tyler’s offense, tossing 2 1/3 innings of scoreless baseball.
His steady presence on the hill stifled any hopes of a rally, giving Bossier Parish the breathing room it needed.
Bretza then sealed the deal, coming on in the ninth to pitch a scoreless frame and earn the save. His composure under pressure ensured the victory.