By Tom Dodge

tom.dodge@eunicetoday.com

In 2012, LSU Eunice finished with a stellar 57-5 record as the Bengals won their fourth national title in the program’s history.

Friday night, the Bengals begin their trek as defending national champs with a the first of a three-game homestand against Northlake College (Dallas).

LSU Eunice head coach Jeff Willis is not concerned about repeating as champions but rather getting better as the season progresses, beginning with this weekend.

“This is a long season,” Willis said. “The players ned to remember it is a marathon not a sprint.

“We need to take the year one pitch a time, one out at a time and one game at a time.”

Sophomore Brady Domangue Vandebilt Catholic) will be the opening day starter for the second straight year. Freshman Chad Reeves (Sterlington) should also see action iu Friday’s game set to begin at 6 p.m.

Sophomore Kirk Savoy (Menard) will be the starter for Saturday’s 12 p.m. start, while sophomore Zac Person (Eunice) is scheduled to be Sunday’s starter.

“I think these four have seperated themselves from the rest and deserve the opportunity to start for us,” Willis said.

Last year, the Bengals swept Northlake 9-7, 7-5, 6-5 in the second weekend of the season.

“This is the sixth straight year we have faced them early in the season,” Willis said. “They have been very competitive, close games.”

With the recent monsoon the Eunice area endured, the Bengal outfield is still soft and sinking in some spots, so Willis plans to cover the field to avoid any more saturating rain.

With Northlake College, St. Charles Community College (Missouri) and Murray State College (Oklahoma) scheduled over the next three weekends at LSUE, Willis said it is important for the Bengals to start the season with some success.

“We may never go 57-5 again,” the coach said of the record-setting 2012 season. “But we need to begin strong to build some confidence and help set the tone for the season.”