Published: August 14, 2009 12:51 am      

AAABA: ‘Deep’ pitching, ‘timely hitting’ keys for New Orleans

New Orleans pounded out 17 hits and scored at least one run in seven of the eight innings played Thursday, eliminating Lansing 14-3 in a AAABA game at Fichtner Field.

The Boosters’ lead-off man, Lucas LeBlanc, went 3-for-4 including a triple and a home run with three RBIs and scored four times.

Scott Fabre was 3-for-4, scoring two and driving in three.

But New Orleans also got offensive production throughout its lineup in the win over Lansing, which had defeated Youngstown 6-3 in the morning game at the Point.

“We knew Lansing had already played a game, so we just wanted to come out and be as aggressive as we could,” New Orleans manager Bill Babin said. “We were able to get some very timely hitting with a lot of nice two-base hits.”

Right-hander Brian Arceneaux got the win, giving up a run on three hits while striking out two with no walks.

“Our pitching staff is very deep, so the longer the tournament goes on we really feel we have the number of pitchers and quality of pitchers to move deep into it,” Babin said.

New Orleans never trailed, taking a 2-0 lead in the first inning. Carl’s right fielder A.J. deOliveira cut that advantage in half in the bottom of the first with a solo shot over the right field fence, but that was as close as Lansing could get.

The Boosters added one in the second, two more in the third, one in the fourth and two in the fifth for an 8-0 lead.

Lansing sent seven men to the plate in the fifth, producing a pair of runs to cut into the New Orleans advantage.

The Boosters added four more in the sixth and two in the eight to set the final.

Chad Gromek and Chris Rossenberry were both 2-for-4 for Lansing (2-2).

“They (New Orleans) hadn’t played all day and were waiting for us, and it showed,” said Lansing coach Bob Dziachan, who was filling in for manager Andy Joseph. “Every mistake we made, they made us pay.

“That’s a powerhouse there.”

New Orleans will take on Toledo today.