University High and Parkview Baptist are accustomed to playing each other on a big stage, and Tuesday’s contest at LSU’s Alex Box Stadium was no different.
Playing the first of two scheduled District 6-3A games this week, U-High held on for a 3-1 win.
U-High (20-7, 7-0) won its ninth consecutive game while Parkivew (25-6, 6-1) had its nine-game winning streak snapped. The game was the first between the teams since the Cubs defeated the Eagles in the semifinals of last year’s Division III state playoffs.
“It was a battle of two really good arms,” Parkview coach Phillip Hawke said. “They took advantage of the mistakes that we made, and that’s enough for a guy like (U-High pitcher Camden Sunstrom). He did a great job making good pitches when he needed to.”
Parkview’s Wes Marien went six innings, allowing five hits. U-High got to him for two runs in the second inning, when the Cubs got help from an infield throwing error and a hit-by-pitch. A balk and a passed ball helped U-High add a run in the third.
Sunstrom lasted until the top of the seventh, when he gave up a two-out double to Brant Melancon and a single to Josh Acosta. Reed Braun came in and got Cade Rodi on a fly ball to right to end the game.
Parkview had a similar chance in the sixth. With two outs, Tanner Powell doubled, and Sam Mitchell drew a walk. Sunstrom struck out Cade Durbin to end the inning.
Sunstrom gave up six hits, struck out 10 and issued three walks.
“I felt like (Sunstrom) really did a great job competing,” U-High coach Justin Morgan said. “He typically pounds the zone with strikes, but tonight he had a couple of innings where he had to find a way to get those pitches.”
The Eagles got help of their own in the first inning, when they touched Sunstrom for a run. Rodi reached base on a fielder’s choice and took second on a throwing error while Parkview tried to turn a double play.
After taking third on a wild pitch, Rodi scored on Thomas Bonaventure’s long double to the warning track in left field.
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