PINEVILLE -- Lance Laborde had one of those games most only dream about.

The Pineville senior outfielder and leadoff hitter went 4-for-5 with three home runs and seven RBI in the Rebels' 19-6 win at Westgate on Thursday.

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"Lance is probably one of the best hitters I've coached in high school baseball," Pineville coach Darrell Wiley said of the four-year starter who played utility last year but has settled in the outfield. Laborde is hitting .420 on the season.

But Laborde wasn't the only Rebel connecting with the baseball on Thursday. Fellow senior Kyle Sandoval went 4-for-4 with a homer and four RBI, while sophomores Katlin Johnson and Matt Scott also had big games at the plate. Johnson hit a home run and drove in three runs, while Scott had two doubles and two RBI.

Pineville now has hit 22 home runs on the season, after hitting 29 last year. Dane Ervin leads the team with six, while Laborde has four.

"We stress hitting the ball hard. ... Our motto is to try to hit the ball with a little authority," Wiley said.

The Rebels face Westgate again today in a District 4-5A doubleheader beginning at 4 p.m. at home.

GRACE STRENGTHENED

Pope's return not only adds another solid bat to the Warriors' lineup, but it also strengthens their outfield, coach Josh Brown said.

Pope returned to left field, where he started last season, moving junior Sean Smith back to right field. D.C. Carlock, an eighth-grader who had been starting in right field, has become Grace Christian's designated hitter.

NOMINATIONS NEEDED