St. Landry clarion. (Opelousas, La.) 1890-1921, 1914-04-18
INITIAL GAME GOES
TO LOCAL TEAM
Opelousas Defeats Ameri-
can Can Team by 2 to |
in Pretty Game.

The local team opened the base
ball season with a glorious victo-
ry on last Sunday afternoon
when the strong American Can
Company's team, of New Orleans
went down to defeat to the tune
of 2 to l, in one of the prettiest
and fastest games ever staged on
the local diamond.
The Opelousas team, with but
very little practice, went on the
field hopeful of capturing the
first game; spirited by the sever
al hundred enthusiastic fans the
local aggregation went forth con-
fdent of making a splendid show
ing, although in the minds of
some of the most ardent sup
porters it was rather doubtful
whether the home boys could
cope with such a strong bunch OF
PLAYERS as the New Orleans ag-
gregation.
The first inning, however, open
ed the eyes of the six hundred
spectators, when Ivens, the
youthful collegian, pitching for
Opelousas, put the first three
men out in one, two, three, or
der. With Haynes securing the
first hit of the season, and two
men out, Vaccero the reliable
backstop of the 0pelousas club,
slammed out a beautiful two
bagger in right center, driving
Haynes for the initial run. This
play brought forth a loud OUT
burst of applause and the Ope-
Iousas boys went back to the
field in appy-go-lucky mood,
but determined that the laurels
would be theirs.
Of the Opelousas boys, the
stars were Brown, Charlie De-
jean, Iven, Pugh, Vaccero, and
and Haynes. Leo Dejean in cen
ter and Toby VeItin in right also
showed up well considering the
very little practice they had this
season. The longest hit of the
game went to Roach, when he
drove a three bagger with none
on bases. after two proceeding
him had been put out.
In the lucky sixth Opelousas
won the game, when Ivens sue
ceeded in securing a hit and was
followed by Pugh, who drove a
-bagger, one of'the prettiest
drives of the day. Pugh was the
most successful hitter, securing
a double and a three base hit; he
also played excellent ball at sec
ond.
The pitching of Ivens and
Charbonnet was of the highest
type, both men working hard up
to the final inning; however, the
best of the argument went to
Iyens, who was given almost
faultless support by his team
mates.
The 0pelousas infeld showed
up well, whilst the outfield prom
ises to be the strongest in the
history of amateur ball in this
city, with Brown taking care OF
the left garden, Leo Dejean. the
Grand Old Man, covering center
and Toby Veltin handling the
right field territory.
Iniun Dejean, with more prae-
tice and experience will make an
excellent first baseman. He has
been considered for the last three
years as one of the most reliable
catchers playing amatuer ball in
Louisiana and his friends predict
that his career at first will be q
brilliant one. Haynes handled
himself at short like a veteran,
acquitting himself with honors.
beside batting like an old timer
and running the bases like q
bear.
Roach at third did his share,
his only fault during the game
was giving the first baseman a
a bad ball, the consequence OF
which man got the initial bag
free. However, he 'evened up
matters when he drove out q
three base hit.
1t is the consensus Of opinion
among the fans that Igens anc
Vaccero will do a great deal oi
the battery work for the loca
team. Vaecero is a streng and
consistent hitter, besides being 9
slugger and having considerable
knowledge Of the foyorite sport.
Practically every fan turnee
out for the opening game, the
brass band heading the crowd.
Mr.. Crawford, bandmaster, has
mustered during the last few
days a good bunch Of musicians
and with the showing up of the
band at the baseball park on las
Sunday good band for 0pelou
sas is assured.
But it was not only the ladies
the men folks and the band, whe
were fans even to a little pup,
pie was there and the noise he
did make kept the attention o.
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