JERRY FROEBA / L’Observateur / May 15, 1999

ST. AMANT – One of East St. John’s goals before the season was to win astate championship.

The Wildcats are a step closer to realizing that goal after defeating West Jefferson, 11-7, in the Class 5A regional playoffs Tuesday afternoon at St. Amant High School.East St. John (19-13-1) advanced to the Class 5A tournament in NewIberia where they will play Rummel in the quarterfinals today at 11 a.m.Rummel defeated Mandeville, 8-3, in the regionals Tuesday. Thetournament has been pushed back a day due to inclement weather.

“We had two goals for the season,” East St. John coach Carey Ourso said.”To change our image and win the state championship. We’re three gamesfrom the championship and we have already changed our image.”Samson Monica (5-3) picked up the win, going 5 2/3 innings, giving up four runs on three hits while striking out six. Roydell Williams pitched thefinal 1 1/3 innings, giving up three runs on two hits.

Tie Reese led the Wildcats on offense, going 2-for-4, knocking in four runs with a two-run home run and a two-run triple. Kent Roussell had two hits,including a three-run home run. Williams added three hits in four at-batswhile Darwin Pittman had two hits as the Wildcats had 11 hits in the game.

Monica and West Jefferson’s Tre’ Baker were locked in a pitcher’s duel over the first two innings. Monica had a no-hitter and Baker a one-hitterafter two. West Jefferson broke on top in the top of the third, scoringthree runs on two hits, two walks and an error. Baker had a two-out, two-run double and scored on a double by Zack Rogers.

East St. John came back in the bottom of the third to cut the deficit to 3-2. Brandon Mason walked and Williams followed with a single to putrunners on first and third. After Williams stole second, two wild pitcheswith Monica at the plate brought in both runs to make it a one-run game.

Monica set the side down in order in the top of the fourth. East St. Johnscored four runs in the bottom of the inning to take a 6-3 lead. JeromeAnderson led off with a single, Pittman followed with a walk and Randy Sutherland laid down a bunt to move the runners over. Reese then tripledto left, scoring Anderson and Pittman. Courtesy runner Clarence Leescored on a sacrifice fly to center by Mason.

The Wildcats were not through yet as Williams singled, stole second and scored on Monica’s double down the third base line.

Monica retired the side in order for the second straight inning in the fifth.

In the bottom of the inning, Pittman had a one-out single and stole second.

One out later, Reese hit a 1-0 pitch over the left field fence for a two-run home run, increasing the lead to 8-3.

Monica struck out Brent Hebert to lead off the sixth, the eighth straight Buccaneer he had set down. Rogers broke the string with a single and camearound to score on an error to make it 8-4. With a runner on second andtwo outs, Williams came in to pitch and retired Shaun Stallings on a grounder to first.

East St. John increased the lead to 11-4 in the bottom of the inning.Monica reached on an error and Mitchell walked. Roussell stepped in andhit a 1-2 pitch to right-center field for a three-run home run.

With two outs in the top of the seventh, Rogers hit a three-run home over the left field fence to make it 11-7. Williams then got the final out on aground out back to the mound by Matt Irby.

Sulphur 5, Hahnville 1

NEW ORLEANS – Suphur eliminated Hahnville from the Class 5A regional playoffs with a 5-1 victory at Tulane’s Turchin Stadium Wednesday afternoon.

Sulphur (24-6) moves on to the quarterfinals against DeLaSalle today at 5 p.m. Hahnville concluded its season at 23-8.Sulphur jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the top of the third. A single by JoshMonceaux, walks by Austin Bishop and Blaine Wyinger, a sacrifice by by Ricky Truax and a two-run double by Nick Stewart drove in the runs.

Hahnville came back to cut the deficit to 3-1 in the bottom half of the inning. Teddy Schmill singled and came around to score on a single byBrandon Kelly.

Brice Tanner doubled for the Tornadoes in the fourth and scored on a sacrifice fly. Sulphur made it 5-1 in the fifth as Bobby Little singled andeventually came around on a throwing error.

Sulphur’s Casey Daigle (10-1) picked up the win, allowing five hits while striking out six.

Return To Sports Stories

Copyright © 1998, Wick Communications, Inc.

Internet services provided by NeoSoft.

Best viewed with 3.0 or higher