By RYAN ARENA
L’Observateur

By RYAN ARENA
L’Observateur
LAPLACE – Hahnville-based Otto Candies finds itself in the exact same spot it was a year ago at the American Legion state tournament, only now boasting a roster full of players that have literally been there before.  And that’s just fine by Coach David Baudry.
Otto Candies defeated the Crowley Millers 10-5 Monday to stay alive in Sulphur, moving its record to 2-1 at the double-elimination tournament. Otto Candies lost to Gauthier-Amedee Sunday and defeated the Delhomme Drillers Saturday.
The team will have to win three consecutive games to take home the state crown. It was scheduled to face Brother Martin-based Peake BMW Tuesday, after press time. Peake BMW and Otto Candies faced off on day four of the state tourney last season as well, with Otto Candies winning to advance to the final day.
“We’re in the exact same spot we were a year ago, with the exact same opponent,” said Baudry. “Last year we won the first day, lost the second and won on the third, just like this year. I’m very pleased to be where we are.”
Tyler Simmons was the offensive star Monday, going 3 for 4 with five RBIs at the plate. Brooks Vial also had a big day, collecting three hits and scoring three runs.
Zac Calhoun pitched 6.2 strong innings for Otto Candies, allowing four runs and pounding the strike zone relentlessly, walking just one batter. Matt LeBlanc and Garrett Smith closed the final 2.1 innings, striking out six between them.
Otto Candies took a 3-1 lead in the third inning. After falling behind 1-0, Tyler Simmons’ two-run double highlighted a three-run frame. Otto Candies scored three more runs in the fourth and put up four in the seventh to all but put things away.
Baudry’s team committed no errors, and he noted that such play has been the rule so far this tournament.
“Our defense has been strong all tournament,” he said. “It’s kept us in every game.”
He said his squad’s offensive performance Monday was its best in awhile. Otto Candies piled up 13 hits en route to its 10-run performance.
Baudry said he reshuffled the lineup a bit to generate some offensive production after some recent struggles to put up runs. 
“We were as good as we’ve been in a long time,” he said. “We were getting bunts down, we ran the bases well and we got some big hits when we needed them.”
GAUTHIER-AMEDEE 6, OTTO CANDIES 3 – Otto Candies led 3-2 before Madison Nickens’ two-run single pushed Gauthier ahead for good.
Brooks Vial took the loss for Otto Candies, allowing five runs on eight hits with four strikeouts over seven innings.
“We played extremely hard,” said Baudry. “We just made a few little mistakes.”
Austin Millet picked up the win on the mound, allowing three runs on three hits.
A Todd Porche RBI single gave Otto Candies its lone lead in the game.
Gauthier-Amedee, considered by most to be the state tourney favorite, advanced in the winner’s bracket with the win and remained undefeated in postseason play this year.
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OTTO CANDIES 5, DELHOMME DRILLERS 3 – Otto Candies scored five runs in the second inning to start off the state tournament with a victory.
Chase Bagot’s three-run triple gave Otto Candies a 3-0 lead, then Dylan Keller and Tyler Simmons each rapped out RBI singles to push the lead to five.
Todd Porche allowed three runs on six hits in 7.1 innings to earn the win.
Otto Candies turned a pair of double plays in the win.
Acadiana-based Delhomme scored runs in the third on a ground out by Devin Boutin, a sacrifice fly by Caleb Duboc in the fifth and squeeze bunt by Tristan LaPorte in the eighth.
Simmons went 3 for 5 with an RBI to lead Otto Candies.