The Jena Giants picked up a shutout victory and lost two very close games as the 2026 baseball season heads down the final stretch.
The Giants played their second district game of the season Tuesday, March 17, as they traveled to Bunkie, Louisiana to take on the Panthers. This would be the district opener for the Panthers.
It would end up being a pitcher’s duel between Jena’s Collin Jensen and Bunkies’ Austin Fitzgerald as the two controlled the game throughout. Jensen would pitch a complete game giving up 3 runs on 7 hits and finishing with 4 strikeouts. Fitzgerald would finish with 0 runs on 2 hits and 8 strikeouts.
Bunkie would pick up the win 3-0. Collin Jensen was also 2-3 at the plate in the game.
On Thursday night, March 19, the Giants would return home to take on Delhi Charter. The Giants would use a big 7 run 5th inning to beat Delhi Charter 10-0 in 5 innings.
Conner Brunet would pick up the win as he pitched all 5 innings giving up only 1 hit and finishing with 6 strikeouts. Jonathon Willis had a double and 3 RBIs in the game. Collin Jensen also had a double and an RBI.
On Saturday, March 21, the Giants would travel to Cedar Creek for another non-district contest. The Giants would get a good pitching performance from freshman Quinton Otwell as he would go 4.1 innings giving up only 3 runs and finishing with 4 strikeouts.
Carson Willis would go 2-2 in the game and Jonathon Willis would have an RBI. Otwell would also have a double and an RBI but the Giants would come up short as Cedar Creek would get the win 3-2.
The Giants are now 11-11 overall on the season and 0-2 in district play. The Giants are still sitting in a good spot to make the playoffs as they are currently ranked #16 in the Division III Non-Select power rankings.
The next home game for the Giants will be Monday March 30th against the Pineville Rebels at 6:00 p.m.
