In a strong performance, Brother Martin defeated Ponchatoula 2-0, led by Blaise Tingstrom's two-hit shutout over 5鈪� innings and Bronson Leaumont's crucial fifth-inning triple. The victory in the quarterfinals of the LHSAA Division I select playoffs secured Brother Martin's place in the semifinals, continuing their impressive run with 12 consecutive wins. Coach Jeff Lupo praised Tingstrom's control and the team's error-free defense, while Ponchatoula struggled with timely hitting despite a strong pitching effort from Michael Farris.

By the Numbers
  • Blaise Tingstrom pitched 5鈪� innings, allowing 2 hits, striking out 4, and walking 3.
  • Brother Martin has won 26 of its last 27 games, including the last 12.
Yes, But

Ponchatoula's Coach Scott Tribble highlighted missed opportunities for key hits, particularly in the sixth inning when they couldn鈥檛 capitalize on a pitching change by Brother Martin. This pattern of close losses has affected the team emotionally, especially as they aimed for a semifinal appearance after 42 years.

State of Play
  • Brother Martin, now 29-6, will face the winner of the matchup between Holy Cross and Acadiana in the semifinals.
  • Ponchatoula concludes their season with a record of 23-11, marking a strong but ultimately disappointing campaign.
What's Next

As Brother Martin proceeds to the semifinals, they are poised to extend their winning streak. For Ponchatoula, the focus will shift to building on this season's success to improve and potentially reach the semifinals in the future.

Bottom Line

Brother Martin's consistent performance and strong pitching underline their championship aspirations, while Ponchatoula's season serves as a foundation for future growth and development. Key improvements in clutch hitting will be crucial for their next season's campaign.