By GEORGE MAHL – Sports Editor

BOUTTE – Hahnville starting pitcher Jordan Brown was a key component for the success of the Hahnville baseball team during the regular season.

He showed why Tuesday afternoon.

Brown fired a two hit shutout in a 3-0 bi-district playoff victory over Byrd.

Brown pitched six innings in the victory, while Byrd starter Tyler Bray took the loss. He struck out seven and walked two.

With Hahnville leading 1-0 in the bottom of the fifth, Aramie Melancon stepped up and hit a single to right. First-baseman Andrew Hickman, the next batter, stepped up and hit a two-run homer over the right-centerfield fence, giving the Tigers two insurance runs.

Byrd’s only shot at scoring runs happened in the top of the first inning. With two outs, Blake Walker walked and advanced to second on a single from Tyler Bray. The threat ended, however, when John Dykes grounded out to first base to end the inning.

In the bottom of the first, the Tigers had a golden opportunity to get on the board first. Ryne Madere led off the inning by getting on base with an error, but was out at second base when Landon Braud hit into a fielders choice.

A single by Brown followed by a passed ball allowed Braud to move to third base.

The Tigers could not get any further when Bray struck out Melancon and Andrew Hickman to end the inning.

After Brown retired the side in the top of the third, Hahnville put their first run on the board.

Madere, the lead-off hitter, was hit by a pitch and advanced to second on a walk to Brown. Following a Byrd throwing error, Madere scored when Melancon singled.

In the bottom of the fourth, the Tigers had the bases loaded. Steven Burns reached first on an error from shortstop Blake Walker.

He then moved to second on a walk and to third when Madere was hit by a pitch for the second consecutive time. However, the threat ended when Braud grounded out to first.

Over the next three innings, Brown had little trouble with Yellow Jacket hitters.

He only allowed one baserunner. After retiring the side in the fifth and sixth inning, Bray was the lone baserunner to get on base, reaching first on an error.

He was quickly wiped out, though, when Dykes hit into a double play for the second straight time.

Hahnville is scheduled to play the winner of Evangel/St. Amant this weekend.

Regardless of who wins, the Tigers will be on the road.