The John Melvin University baseball team had an uncertain and eventful start to the season. What was originally scheduled as a four-game series with Southeastern Arkansas to start the season reached the verge of being canceled due to the historic blizzard that southern Louisiana experienced before ultimately resulting in a rare triple-header on Saturday to open the 2025 season.
Game one of the season was all Millers thanks in large part to the efforts of Ace pitcher Gavin LeBlanc and Junior pitcher Bryce Oquinn, who combined for the Millers' first shutout since 2023. LeBlanc answered the Opening Day call with five innings, one hit, and nine strikeouts en route to his first win of the season. Bryce Oquinn entered the game in the 6th inning of a 4-0 ball game and slammed the door shut with two shutout innings, allowing just three baserunners. The JMU offense was led by Taylor Walters, who turned in a two-hit performance, including a triple while scoring 2 of the 4 Miller runs.
JMU 4 - SEARK 0
2B: Trevor Durr (1)
3B: Taylor Walters (1)
HBP: Lane Kratzer (1)
SB: Andrew Ashby (1), Sammy Maddox (1), Taylor Walters (1)
Win: Gavin LeBlanc (1-0)
Game two of the day did not go so well for JMU. Southeast Arkansas jumped out to an early 3-0 in the first inning, added two more in the 2nd, and another one in the 3rd for a 6-0 lead after three innings. The Millers fought back, scoring 4 runs in the 6th innings but it was not enough as Southeast Arkansas took game two of the season to even the series at a game each.
SEARK 7 - JMU 4
2B: Braeden Morgan (1), Trevor Durr (2)
Loss: Troy Morel (0-1)
Game three of the day was about as eventful and exciting as a fan can ask for on Opening Day of the baseball season. Southeast Arkansas opened Game Three in much the same way that they started Game Two. SEARK jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first inning and added three more runs in the 3rd inning to jump out to a strong 5-0 lead. The Millers got on the board in the 3rd inning when Trevor Durr hit a single up the middle to score Taylor Walters and bring the score to 5-1 after three innings. Then, the real excitement started. The Millers scored six runs in the 4th innings, culminating in a daring steal of home by Cabet Blanchard to bring the Millers all the way back and take a 7-5 lead. Southeast Arkansas would score two runs in the 5th inning to tie the game and take the lead with a run in the 6th inning to take an 8-7 lead. JMU would not be held down as they were once again led by Taylor Walters, who tied the game with a Triple in the bottom of the 6th inning, scoring Eli Musgraves to tie the game at 8-8. The Millers would score five runs in the innings to take a 12-8 lead into the final inning. Southeast Arkansas made the game exciting with a 3-run home run in the 7th to make it a 1-run ball game before Zayne Earl shut the door; facing two batters and striking them both out to earn his first career save and earning JMU a series victory to open the 2025 season.
JMU 12 - SEARK 11
2B: Connor Pleasant (1), Lane Kratzer (1)
3B: Lane Kratzer (1), Taylor Walters (2)
HBP: Noah Watkins (1), Taylor Walters (1)
SB: Bebe King (1), Cabet Blanchard (1)
Win: Caleb Ougel (1-0)
Save: Zayne Earl (1)
The Millers will take the field again on Friday, January 31st in Pineville as they take on Louisiana Christian in a 3-game series.
