It was Senior Day for the Youngsville Eagles and all three seniors — James Johnson, Cole Johnson and Talon Mesel — played a big role in the victory. James Johnson was 4 for 4 with a pair of doubles and scored three runs; Cole Johnson had an RBI double and scored a run; and Mesel scored twice and was 2 for 3 at the plate.

Jarius Casey had a pair of doubles in defeat for the Knights while freshman catcher Wyatt Neall had the team’s other two hits on the afternoon.

The Eagles (6-4) struck first in the contest when James Johnson led off with one of his doubles and eventually scored on a David Manning RBI single. Ike didn’t stay down for long with Casey leading off the second with a double and eventually scoring on a passed ball to tie the game at 1-1.

Eisenhower took its first lead of the game in the top of the third when Caleb Jakubczak reached on a two-out error and raced home from first on Casey’s second double in as many at-bats.

Photos courtesy of Jay and Alicia Elfstrom Above, Youngsville’s Josh Pikna slides safely into home plate as Eisenhower catcher Wyatt Neall catches the ball during the Eagles’ 11-2 victory over the Knights on Wednesday at Davis Street Field in Youngsville. Below, Youngsville pitcher Braydon Baker throws a pitch during Wednesday’s victory.

The Knights’ lead would prove to be short-lived as the Eagles plated a pair of runners in the bottom of the third to take a 3-2 lead. James Johnson singled, stole second and moved to third on a Cole Johnson sacrifice bunt before scoring on a passed ball to make it 2-2. Later in the inning, Mesel scored from third when a throw was made to second in an unsuccessful attempt to nab a stealing Braydon Baker.

Youngsville pushed its lead to two in the fourth inning after Dylan DePasquale led off with a single and later scored on James Johnson’s two-out hit.

The Eagles tacked on three additional runs in the fifth inning as Manning and Mesel led off with singles and Manning scored on a Baker RBI groundout.

Mesel was later safe at home on a ball hit by Josh Pikna and Pikna would later score on a Bryce Spinks fielder’s choice to make it 7-2 after five.

Three straight doubles to lead off the bottom of the sixth gave Youngsville all the insurance it would need. James Johnson, Cole Johnson (RBI) and Manning (RBI) all had the two-base hits and Manning scored on Baker’s RBI single. Baker would score the final run of the game moments later on a two-base error.

James Johnson started and pitched the opening two innings with Baker coming on in relief. Baker got the win going four and one-third innings and allowing just one run on two hits while striking out seven. Cole Johnson got the final two outs of the game for Youngsville.

The Eagles return to action Friday when they travel out of region to face Reynolds. Eisenhower is scheduled to visit Kane that same day.

EISENHOWER (2)

Wyatt Neall, c, 3-0-2-0, Alexander Knowles, cf, 4-0-0-0, Caleb Jakubczak, ss-p, 2-1-0-0, Jarius Casey, 1b, 3-1-2-1, Griffin Williams, p-ss, 3-0-0-0, Huck Fedorchuck, 2b, 2-0-0-0, Joel Sorrell, 3b, 3-0-0-0, Brayden Frank, rf, 2-0-0-0, Carson Ferman, lf, 3-0-0-0. Totals 25-2-4-1.

YOUNGSVILLE (11)

James Johnson, p-c, 4-3-4-1, Cole Johnson, c-3b-p, 3-1-1-1, David Manning, ss, 4-2-3-2, Talon Mesel, cf, 3-2-2-0, Braydon Baker, 3b-p-3b, 3-1-1-2, Josh Pikna, 1b, 3-1-0-1, Dylan DePasquale, 2b, 2-1-1-0, Carsyn Branstrom, ph, 1-0-0-0, Bryce Spinks, lf, 3-0-0-1, Riley Lauger, lf, 0-0-0-0, Logan King, rf, 2-0-0-0, Aaden Patch, ph, 1-0-0-0. Totals 29-11-12-8.

Eisenhower 011 000 0 — 2 4 1

Youngsville 102 134 — 11 12 1

2B–Jarius Casey (E) 2, James Johnson (Y) 2, Cole Johnson (Y), David Manning (Y). W–Braydon Baker. L–Griffin Williams.